Colombia vs Canada Odds, Picks & Predictions: Olympic Women’s Soccer

In one of the more bizarre tournament scenarios, Canada enter their final group game against Colombia on July 31 with two wins and zero points — and yet they can reach the Olympic quarterfinals with a victory.

The Canadians were rocked by a six-point penalty after FIFA’s drone investigation but rebounded with a dramatic, gutsy 2-1 victory against France on Sunday thanks to Vanessa Gilles’ last-gasp strike.

My Colombia vs Canada predictions expect another gutsy win for the Canadians this afternoon.

Colombia vs Canada prediction and best bet

Les Rouges on a roll

Match prediction
Canada to win (-118)

My analysis
After days in the spotlight amid all kinds of criticism, Canada provided an emphatic response with their comeback win over France. That result kept the Canadians’ Olympic hopes alive, and I don’t see them throwing away this precious lifeline.

Though interim boss Andy Spence has a few big decisions to make in his starting lineup after strong cameos from Janine Beckie and Evelyne Viens off the bench on Sunday, I see Les Rouges finding gaps in a Colombia defense that conceded three first-half goals against France. 

Canada have caused problems on the wings in both games so far — especially through Ashley Lawrence — and there should be consistent service for proven scorers Adriana Leon and Cloe Lacasse.

There are bigger challenges in the opposition dugout, with Colombia reeling from news key figure Mayra Ramirez will be suspended again following her opening game dismissal in the 3-2 loss to France.

Without her, the Colombians saw off an overmatched New Zealand team at the weekend, but this feels like a step too far as they collide with the defending Olympic gold medalists. 

Taking chances

My best bet
Canada Over 1.5 goals (-120)

My analysis
Les Rouges have now scored at least two goals in five of their last six outings, and I’m picking the favorites to show their clinical side once more against Colombia.

I don’t expect domination on the level of Canada’s Group A opener against New Zealand where they had 22 shots, but there’s plenty of firepower for Spence to call on — including a deep bench.

While the Colombians can afford to take a defense-first approach and settle for a stalemate, only a victory will do for the Canadians. That should translate into an attacking game plan, with the players in red all surely wanting to avoid a second straight frantic finale. 

If they carry on where they left off on Sunday, they're going to create chances. They looked livelier against France once Leon came on, and the Aston Villa striker’s runs in behind could be a difference maker here if she is restored to the starting lineup.

But this pick is equally about Colombia’s defensive flaws. They were blown away by a deadly French attack in their tournament opener and also conceded three goals against the USWNT earlier this year.

With Canada still riding the wave from the 102nd-minute winner against France, the stage is set for another big performance from a team that has overcome the majority of adversity over the past week — and we may see Les Rouges take out more of that frustration today.

Colombia vs Canada odds

• Moneyline: Colombia +400 | Canada -175 | Draw +310
• Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-161) | Under 2.5 (+118)

Colombia vs Canada game info

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