South Korea and Mexico have both done well at recent Olympics and again impressed during the group stage of this summer’s tournament. All the signs are that a cracking quarter-final is on the cards in Yokohama and the feeling is this tie could go to extra time at least.
Defending Olympic champions Brazil made smooth progress through the group stage and should prove too hot for Egypt in the quarter-finals. The underdogs have looked organised and efficient so far but lacked a cutting edge up front versus Spain and Argentina in their pool.
Japan were the only team to win all three group-stage games at the Tokyo Olympics and look worthy favourites to see off New Zealand. The Kiwis did look defensively sound in two of their matches, though, so we’re not expecting this to be a blow-out now the pressure is on.
Ivory Coast battled their way through a tough group at the Tokyo Olympics and are fancied to give Spain a stiff test in the quarter-finals. La Rojita look equally determined to make up for a moderate recent record in this event but have had trouble scoring goals so far.
Qatar have been entertaining guests at the CONCACAF Gold Cup but face a tough test when taking on USA in the semi-finals in Texas. The hosts have reached the final 11 times in 15 renewals of this tournament, including when narrowly beaten by Mexico in the 2019 decider.
Great Britain almost paid the price for resting players versus Canada but should be back at full focus for the women’s quarter-finals. Australia represent spirited opponents but are rated just a level below, judged on what we have seen so far at the Tokyo Olympics.
Celtic face a tough trip to Denmark as they look to progress to the third qualifying round of the Champions League. The Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw by Midtjylland in the first leg at Parkhead last Tuesday night and were thrashed 6-2 by West Ham in Saturday’s friendly.
PSV were totally dominant when thrashing Galatasaray 5-1 in Eindhoven and can confirm that superiority in the second leg in Istanbul. A date with Celtic or Midtjylland looks assured for the Dutch outfit, who appear to be back on an upward curve under Roger Schmidt.
Great Britain’s women have already done us a couple of favours at the Olympics and can wrap up top spot in their group by edging out Canada. Hege Riise’s well-drilled side have been rock-solid in securing two clean-sheet victories and may again be just too strong.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals conclude with arguably the pick of the last-eight matches when the United States face Jamaica. At least one of these teams have reached each of the last eight finals and this is a repeat of the 2017 showpiece, which the USA won 2-1.
Great Britain’s women made a winning start to their Olympic campaign but are expected to face a tougher test when they meet hosts Japan on Saturday. Team GB began with a 2-0 victory over Chile – just as we predicted at 4/1 – and are top of Group A after the opening round of matches.
Mexico head into the quarter-finals as the 6/4 favourites in the CONCACAF Gold Cup winner odds and will hope to prove why when they face 22/1 outsiders Honduras. Mexico have won the Gold Cup a record 11 times including three of the last five editions so there is plenty of reason to think they are the team to beat.
Qatar are playing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup as part of their preparations for hosting next year’s World Cup and it has been so far so good. They qualified for the quarter-finals as winners of Group D with seven points from their three matches and are favourites to reach the last four.
Colombia have looked solid during the Copa America knockout stages and are rated a percentage pick to edge out Peru in the third-place play-off. Some star names will be missing from both teams but Los Cafeteros appear to have the better strength in depth.