USA v Canada betting tips: Border war for place in final

Preview of Monday’s semi-final match

The women’s football tournament has reached the semi-final stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and we take a look at the odds for the USA v Canada betting tips.

The USA needed penalties to overcome the Netherlands in their quarter-final while Canada knocked out Brazil in similar fashion in their last-eight clash.

The semi-final takes place in the early hours of Monday morning as they vie for a place in the final in the National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, on August 6.

USA v Canada match odds

Canada defeated Brazil 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw after 120 minutes in Rifu to reach the semi-finals and are 9/2 to defeat the USA.

Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe saved the final two Brazilian spot-kicks from Andressa and Rafaelle after Christine Sinclair failed with Canada’s first attempt.

The Canadians, bronze medallists at the past two Olympics, are unbeaten at the tournament and are 6/1 to win gold.

They opened their account with a 1-1 draw against hosts Japan before going on to their only win of the group stage, against Chile.

They almost earned a second win against Great Britain but a late goal from Caroline Weir meant Canada had to settle for a second draw.

After suffering penalty-kick heartbreak in the quarter-finals of the Olympics five years ago, the USA gained a measure of redemption in Yokohama.

In a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final (which the USA won 2-0), they ousted the Netherlands on spot-kicks following a 2-2 draw, with Alyssa Naeher making two saves in the shootout – after producing another near the end of regular time – while the USA were successful with all four of their attempts.

The USA’s campaign could not have started any more poorly.

Odds-on to become the first nation to follow a World Cup title with Olympic gold before their opening-game 3-0 thumping by Sweden, they hit back with a 6-1 thrashing of New Zealand before a dreary draw with Australia put them through to the knockout phase as group runners-up.

The USA are favourites at 11/10 to win the gold medal and 4/6 to beat Canada in 90 minutes.

USA v Canada head-to-head

USA are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Canada. Their last meeting ended in a 1-0 SheBelieves Cup win in February, with Rose Lavelle scoring the decisive goal with 11 minutes remaining.

The USA v Canada betting tips stats show Canada have failed to score in each of their last three meetings – all defeats – and the USA are 6/5 to keep a clean sheet in the semi-final.

The USA have scored multiple goals in three of their last four meetings and it is 6/1 that they win 2-0.

There has been one draw in the last five meetings and it is 11/4 that the game ends draw and 6/1 that the game ends in a 1-1 draw.

USA v Canada team news

Vlatko Andonovski’s changes, with Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press and Lavelle all confined to the bench, worked for the most part.

However, the USA v Canada betting tips analysis expects Lynn Williams, Lindsey Horan and goalscorer Sam Mewis to make way.

Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath, who started against the Netherlands, may revert to the bench but Andonovski has a fit and deep squad.

Christine Sinclair, Canada’s iconic captain, was rested for the final group game against Great Britain by coach Bev Priestman but she will again lead the side.

Their one slight doubt concerns Labbe, who took a heavy fall near the end of extra time, injuring her hip and lower back. She is expected to start, however, and it is 4/1 that Canada keep a clean sheet.

USA v Canada key battles

Having made a dreadful start, the USA have grown into this competition but had their vulnerabilities exposed by Sweden.

Defensively, Canada are solid and tough to break down. They are the only nation to reach the podium at both London 2012 and Rio 2016 in women’s football and can frustrate the Americans, who have been hit on the break a couple of times at this tournament.

The USA v Canada betting tips suggests the first goal will be all-important and it is 2/1 Canada score it. They are 14/1 to win 2-1 while the USA are 22/1 to be behind at half-time but ahead at the end of normal time.

View the latest Olympics women’s football odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication