The United States and Germany will fight it out for a place in the final of the women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics on Tuesday.
The Americans will fancy their chances after beating these opponents 4-1 in the group stage, but Germany demonstrated their staying power in claiming a penalty shootout win over defending gold medalists Canada in the quarterfinals and will not be easily dismissed.
After a disappointing World Cup, the USWNT has been undergoing a time of transition under new manager Emma Hayes, but things look to have come together in the last few months and they appear to have peaked in time for the Olympics.
The four-time winners have not tasted gold success since the 2012 Games in London, but they have looked the strongest team in this tournament, winning all three of their pool games and coming through extra time to beat Japan in the quarterfinals.
That 12-year wait for a gold medal might be about to end and the main reason for such confidence will be that the USWNT already has a 4-1 victory over Germany in this competition after they met in their second group stage match.
That was one of only two goals that the Americans have conceded in their last eight matches - the other against Australia was a late consolation for the Matildas in a 2-1 defeat - so they have the defensive resolve to come through this one and are fancied to get the job done without the need for an extra half an hour this time.
The USA’s three games before their 1-0 win over Japan all generated at least three goals, but there looks a strong chance that this match will be a lot more like their first knockout game than their pool matches, all of which were pretty open.
They looked strong in that 4-1 win over Germany, but this meeting could be a lot more cautious with their opponents looking to keep things as tight as possible for as long as possible.
Horst Hrubesch’s side demonstrated that they have the ability to grind things out on Saturday when they held the defending gold medalists Canada to a goalless draw before claiming their semifinal place on penalties.
Hayes’ side has had to be patient in matches against quality sides in recent months, so don’t expect this to be a game packed full of goals.
The USWNT has scored 10 goals in its four games so far and while this game may not be as open as some of their other encounters, there is still a strong chance that Trinity Rodman can make her mark.
The Washington Spirit forward has been on target in three of the USWNT's four matches in the competition, including scoring the crucial winner against Japan in the quarterfinals.
Rodman was one of four US players to find the net in that 4-1 win over Germany, and the 22-year-old has demonstrated she can rise to the big occasion and can be backed to do so once more in Lyon on Tuesday.
Read more betting picks and predictions for soccer on site.
United States | +100 |
Tie | +240 |
Germany | +275 |
Sophia Smith (USA) | +187 |
Jaedyn Shaw (USA) | +210 |
Croix Bethune (USA) | +225 |
Mallory Swanson (USA) | +225 |
Lea Schuller (Germany) | +250 |
Lynn Williams (USA) | +275 |
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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.