Australia vs. United States Women's Soccer: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The United States women's soccer team has already secured its spot in the Olympic knockout stage, but on Wednesday they face an Australia team that will be fighting to stay in the tournament.

The Matildas, who lost to Germany in their opening Group C contest, were in a heap of trouble after falling 5-2 behind to Zambia on Sunday, but Tony Gustavsson's side staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-5.

Emma Hayes' team beat Germany 4-1 to make it two wins in two matches, although the team is dealing with injuries to winger Jaedyn Shaw and center back Tierna Davidson.

Let's get into our best picks and predictions for Wednesday's concluding group game.

Australia vs United States betting picks and predictions

Over 3.5 total goals (+162)

Goals look guaranteed whenever this Matildas team are in action with Gustavsson's side looking vulnerable in their defensive structure since setting up camp in Europe this summer.

Australia were beaten 2-1 by Canada in a pre-Olympic friendly played in Marbella a couple of weeks before they began their quest for glory with a 3-0 defeat to Germany. Then, there was the 11-goal thriller against Zambia.

Australia have conceded five goals from set pieces at the Games and will need to brush up on their marking and blocking assignments if they are to avoid capitulation against Hayes' side.

The USWNT does not rely on corners and free kicks for their goals as the attacking trident of Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith have done plenty of damage from open-play moves - combining for six goals in France.

Rodman limped to the sideline late in Sunday's game which means she may be rested for this contest, but the USWNT should cope fine with either Jaedyn Shaw - who missed the first two games after suffering a leg injury - or the player who was brought in as Shaw's replacement, Lynn Williams.

The US and Australia met twice at the Tokyo Games three years ago, although the circumstances of the goalless group stage draw were very different as both needed a point to secure qualification.

That is not the case this year with the USA having booked their quarterfinal berth while Australia may also have already done enough to make it if other results go their way.

This contest, therefore, may be more like the seven-goal thriller the sides produced in the Bronze Medal playoff with Over 3.5 goals looking very possible given the strengths and weaknesses of both squads. 

Over 1.5 USA Goals (-163)

Gustavsson will hope that, after firing blanks in their opener, the Matildas have found a potent attacking formula following their goal rush against Zambia.

The introduction of Michelle Heyman just before the hour mark sparked their comeback with the veteran striker popping up with the stoppage-time winner, too.

Australia looked capable of scoring throughout Sunday's contest in Nice, but they just didn't look much like stopping their opponents.

With Australia's midfield wide open, Zambian superstars Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji repeatedly shredded their defence.

And with the USWNT looking as potent a force as any at the Games, there should be more problems for the Aussie backline to deal with on Wednesday.

The Stars and Stripes have scored at least two goals in six of their last eight games and five of their last seven at the Olympics.

First Team to Score: USA (-275)

Australia have conceded the opening goal in both of their group games in France and may do so again against the Americans.

The Matildas were caught napping by Banda's long-range strike after just 40 seconds in Nice and they had already conceded three decent chances, one resulting in a goal, early in the match against Germany.

The slow-starting Aussies may be left with an uphill task again if the US start well, as they have done in this tournament by taking a lead inside 20 minutes in both of their group games.

Read more betting picks and predictions for soccer on site.

Australia vs United States odds

Australia	+320
Tie	+375
USA	-188

Read the latest soccer news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.