Gold fever is in full swing entering the final weekend of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA is the betting favorite to extend their gold-medal winning streaks in men’s and women’s basketball. Meanwhile, the USWNT is looking to return to the top step of the podium for the first time since winning a gold medal in women’s soccer at the 2012 London Olympics.
Women’s Soccer: Trinity Rodman Leading Team USA
Between 1996 and 2012, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) either won or had a chance to win a gold medal in women’s soccer. They snatched gold in 1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012 yet settled on silver in 2000 when they were upset by Norway in the final in Sydney.
The USWNT sunk to a low point with disappointing performances in Brazil in 2016, which marked the only time they did not win a medal since the IOC’s introduction of women’s soccer in 1996. The USWNT has been dealing with a tumultuous transition the last couple of years. The squad is no longer the juggernaut they once were, but they’re making strides to return to their former glory.
When you sign up for a new Borgata Online account you are enrolled in Borgata Online Rewards and can earn points through wagering. Redeem those points for free bets, bonus dollars, rooms and restaurants at MGM Resorts nationwide.
Trinity Rodman, the daughter of outlandish NBA champion Dennis Rodman, is the best scoring option for the USWNT. Rodman either scored a goal or assisted on a goal in all four of their matches so far in Paris. She tallied the only goal in a clutch 1-0 victory over Japan in the quarterfinals.
A pair of European stalwarts could be a problem for the Americans. Spain is a slight favorite to win the gold medal at -110 odds, and USA is second at +138 odds according to BetMGM. Germany is +600 odds and Brazil is the long shot at +1000 odds.
Germany won a gold medal in Rio in 2016 but failed to reach the podium in Tokyo. They square off against the USWNT in the semifinal on Tuesday. Spain is a huge favorite against Brazil in their semifinal match.
Women’s Basketball: Eight Straight for Team USA?
Since 1984, Team USA won nine gold medals and one bronze medal in women’s basketball during a dominant run over the last 30 years. Their only non-gold occurred in 1992 when they finished third in Barcelona for bronze. Since 1996, Team USA secured seven-straight gold medals. They were the big betting favorite at BetMGM entering Paris, and currently a -2000 favorite to win an eighth-consecutive gold medal.
Team USA struggled from 3-point range in the group round, but a new-found defensive identity has made them an even tougher opponent. If Team USA defeats Nigeria in the quarterfinals, they’ll meet the winner of Australia/Serbia in the semifinals for a chance at a gold medal.
Sign up at BetMGM and receive the Best Sportsbook offers Today!
France, playing with a home-court advantage in Paris, is USA’s closet competition to win a gold medal +1600 odds. The other teams in the women’s quarterfinals include Germany (+3300), Belgium (+4000), Australia (+4000), Spain (+4000), Serbia (+6000), and Nigeria (+20000).
France and Germany, the two best non-American teams, meet in the quarterfinals. Oddsmakers feel strongly that the winner of that game will most likely meet Team USA in the final, but France is the favorite over Germany.
BetMGM offers a prop bet for a gold medal winner in women’s basketball that’s not Team USA. France is the favorite at +110 odds followed by Belgium (+300), Germany (+350), and Spain (+600).
Men’s Basketball: Battle for Silver
Even though Team USA dominated their competition with a 3-0 record in men’s group play, the NBA superstars are only -650 odds entering the knockout stage according to BetMGM.
Now that USA has defeated Brazil in the quarterfinals, they’ll square off against the winner of Serbia in the semifinals. The Americans have a much easier path to the gold medal game versus the other side of the bracket which includes Germany, Canada, France, and Greece.
Germany began the Olympics as a long shot to win the gold medal at +2800 odds, and they’re currently the second co-favorite with Canada at +900 odds. Germany and Canada finished the group round as the only other undefeated squads aside from Team USA. Germany and Canada were on the same side of the quarterfinals bracket, but both teams avoid Team USA until the gold medal game.
Canada defeated Team USA in the bronze medal game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup last summer. Team Canada also boasts a squad stacked with NBA stars like Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which is why the Canadians were a popular pick for bettors looking to fade the Americans. They were the second favorite on the board to win a gold medal at +1000 odds entering the Olympics. Their current odds have slightly improved to +900.
Canada finished 3-0 and crushed the “Group of Death” that included Greece, Australia, and Spain. They meet France in the quarterfinals with the winner facing Germany/Greece in the semifinals for a shot at the gold medal.
Second Chance Bet. Make your first deposit at BetRivers and place your first sports wager with real money. If your first wager loses, receive a Bonus Bet, equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500. Bonus Bet will be awarded within 24 Hours of your qualifying wager settling as a loss.
France was also a popular pick prior to the Olympics to win a gold medal at +1000 odds. They also had a roster loaded with NBA players and had the advantage of playing in front of their fans in Paris as the host country.
France saw their medal odds tumble when they lost the opening game of group play against Germany. They won their next two games to secure a spot in the knockout round with a 2-1 record, but a vulnerable France is no longer a betting favorite. Their gold medal odds slipped to +3300.
However, if France picks off Canada in the quarterfinals, then they have a shot at a potential revenge match against Germany in the semifinals. If France can defeat Canada and presumably Germany in consecutive games, they’ll get a crack at Team USA for a chance to win the gold medal.
In case you were looking to take a flier on a long shot in men’s basketball, the rest of the odds to win gold include Serbia (+2000), Greece (+4000), Australia (+4000), and Brazil (+25000).
