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Spying on the opposing team is not how Canada envisioned kicking off the defense of their 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal. While I won't drone on about the incident, the Canadian Olympic Committee removed two team members, analyst Joseph Lombard and assistant coach Jasmine Mander.
Coach Bev Priestman, who reportedly didn't know about the skulduggery, will not be on the sideline against New Zealand on Thursday (11 a.m. ET from Saint-Etienne, France), removing herself voluntarily from the proceedings. She will return for Canada's second group game against France.
Our Canada vs. New Zealand prediction includes the most probable outcome and which player will likely get on the scoresheet.
Canada are the comprehensive favorites across our best sports betting sites against New Zealand in the opener, making Monday's spy-gate incident even more incomprehensible .
The Canadians have won all three head-to-head matches against New Zealand by a combined 8-1 score. However, the Commonwealth combatants haven't played in almost three years.
Canada vs. New Zealand predictions for Thursday
Canada vs. New Zealand odds via our best soccer betting sites; soccer picks confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.
- Final score: Canada 2 – New Zealand 0 (+500) ????
- Adriana Leon anytime goal scorer (+145) ????
- Best bet: Canada -1.5 (-122) ????
Canada vs. New Zealand score prediction
Canada and New Zealand enter Thursday's opener on entirely different trajectories. Les Rouges, the world's eighth-ranked team, are on a 14-match unbeaten run (excluding penalties) dating back to October 2023.
Meanwhile, the Fo otball Ferns have won only one of their last five, a 4-0 triumph against a distinctly inferior Thailand squad.
While Canada should take all three points on Thursday, I don't expect a rout. Canada haven't scored more than twice in seven successive encounters, while New Zealand, the world's 28th-ranked team, boast the personnel to keep the proceedings close.
With so much at stake, I expect New Zealand to batten down the hatches and stay within reach throughout, as they did against seventh-ranked Japan in a recent 2-0 loss. The +500 odds will pay a profit of $50 on a winning $10 bet.
Odds: +500 | Implied probability: 16.67%
Canada vs. New Zealand anytime goal scorer prediction
Adriana Leon enters the Olympics with three goals in her last four games. The 31-year-old, who has scored 20 goals in 52 caps for Canada, scores at a rate of .73 goals per 90 minutes. She only made one start in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the veter an made a significant impact off the bench, scoring a goal in five appearances.
Leon should play a more pivotal role in this tournament. She also scored from the spot against the United States in a recent friendly, a scenario that could repeat itself against the Kiwis.
You'll make a profit of $11 on a $10 bet if Leon opens the tournament with at least one goal.
Odds: +110 via Sportsbook | Implied probability: 47.62%
Canada vs. New Zealand best bet
Besides the aforementioned spying incident, Canada rolls into the Paris Olympics in a confident mood after a run of excellent results.
Their steak of 14 unbeaten outings includes a win and a tie against Mexico, who at No. 29 hold a similar world ranking to New Zealand. Les Rouges also tied Brazil, the world's ninth-ranked team, and the fifth-ranked United States.& nbsp;
While New Zealand won't be a pushover, they must move forward without injured captain Ali Riley. She's one of the Kiwis' best and most experienced defenders, leaving a hole for Canada to exploit.
I expect a somewhat cagey first half, with Canada breaking it open after the interval. The -122 odds will pay a profit of $8.20 on a winning $10 bet.
Odds: -122 | Implied probability: 54.95%
Canada vs. New Zealand odds & game info
| Canada | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -460 | +1100 |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 (-173) | Under 2.5 (+127) |
| Spread | -1.5 (-122) | +1.5 (+100) |
- When: Thursday, July 25
- Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Where: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Etienne, France)
- How to watch: CBC (Canada), USA Network, Peacock, Fubo (U.S.)
- Favorite: Canada (-460)
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