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Guinea and New Zealand will kick-start their campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics when they square off at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday. The Guineans were the last of 16 nations to book their spot at the Olympic football tournament after getting past Indonesia in an inter-confederation playoff in May.
Former Barcelona man Ilaix Moriba's 29th-minute penalty saw the West Africans qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1968.
Morlaye Cissé's side will be coming into the tournament full of confidence, having defeated one of the favorites Argentina in a friendly last week. Mohamed Soumah's 72nd-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
New Zealand, meanwhile, booked their spot at the tournament with a comfortable 9-0 victory over Fiji in the Oceania Olympic qualifiers. Riley Bidois was the star of the show as he scored five goals to inspire the rout.
The "OlyWhites" finalized preparations for the Olympics with a 3-1 loss to Uzbekistan last week.
Both sides have been drawn alongside France and the USA in Group A of the tournament.
Guinea vs New Zealand Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Eight of Guinea's last 11 games at Under-23 level have produced less than three goals.
- New Zealand have competed in four of the last five Olympic Games football tournaments.
- Guinea's last five games at Under-23 level have seen at least one side fail to find the back of the net.
- New Zealand have won just one of their last 10 games at the Olympics (five losses).
- New Zealand's last five games at Under-23 level have produced three goals or more.
Guinea vs New Zealand Prediction
Guinea have returned to the Olympic Games after almost five decades away. They are one of the dark horses in the tournament and will be bolstered by the inclusion of the vastly experienced skipper Naby Keita as one of the three overaged players in the squad.
New Zealand, for their part, are regulars at the football tournament in the Olympic Games. However, they have struggled to make an impact and have advanced from the group stage just once. Another tough encounter awaits them and winning this game could be crucial to their qualification hopes.
We are backing the Guineans to claim a narrow victory in addition to a clean sheet.
Prediction: Guinea 1-0 New Zealand
Guinea vs New Zealand Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Guinea to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score: No
Tip 3 - Under 2.5 goals
