Group B of football at the Paris Olympics 2024 is brimming with tension. Ukraine will take on Argentina at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on the 30th of July at 5 pm French local time.

Ukraine, might have been knocked out had they not beaten Morocco in their last match. And that win did not come easy either. After having taken the lad through Dmytro Kryskiv in the 22nd minute, Ukraine found themselves drawing the game in the 64th minute through a Soufiane Rahimi penalty. Despite Morocco dominating the possession and chances, Ukraine scored the winner at the very end, in the 98th minute, through Ihor Krasnopir, keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.

Argentina, on the other hand, are coming off an easy win over Iraq. They took the lead through Thiago Almada in the 14th minute. However, their in-form man Aymen Hussein equalized at halftime. The South American team came stronger in the second half. Goals from Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez at minutes 62 and 85 sealed the deal for them.

Team News and Predicted XI

Ukraine

Ukraine will be missing their defender Volodymyr Salyuk. He was sent off with a red card during Ukraine’s match against Morocco. Maksym Talovierov is expected to fill in for him.

Predicted XI: Fesyun; Krupskyi, Talovierov, Batagov, Martinyuk; Khlan, Rubchynskyi, Mykhailenko, Bragaru; Kryskiv, Sikan

Argentina

Lucas Beltran of Fiorentina is expected to miss the game due to an injury. And Giuliano Simeone is expected to come in his place.

Predicted XI: Rulli; Garcia, Di Cesare, Otamendi, Soler; Fernandez, Medina, Hezze, Almada; Simeone, Alvarez

Match Deciding Duel

Valentyn Rubchynskyi vs. Julian Alvarez

A striker vs. striker battle might decide this tie. Although Valentyn Rubchynskyi hasn’t been in good form of late, he will certainly be a constant threat to the Argentinian defense. As for Argentina, the usual suspect Julian Alvarez will look to wreak havoc. The Manchester City attacker will look to step up to the plate to deliver the goods.

Ukraine vs. Argentina Odds

Ukraine: 4.2

Argentina: 1.75

Prediction

Ukraine 0-2 Argentina

Ukraine might just not be able to get past Javier Mascherano’s men. Given that Argentina are one of the favorites too, it will be an uphill task for the team from Europe to upstage them. Expect a clean sheet from Argentina.

Group A fixture of the Paris Olympics will see New Zealand go up against the marauding France led by Alexandre Lacazette. The match will take place at the Stade Velodrome on the 30th of July at 7 pm French local time.

New Zealand after winning their first Group A match against Guinea in a close encounter, found themselves hammered by the United States. Djordje Mihailovic scored the opener for the US before Walker Zimmerman doubled the lead. Gianluca Busio made it 3-0, and finally Paxten Aaronson made it 4 for the US. However, a Jesse Randall goal pulled one back as a consolation for the Oceanian team, in the 78th minute.

France, meanwhile, have been enjoying their home advantage, and have been unbeaten so far. Although they rammed the United States in the opening game, Guinea gave them a very tough time in the second. However, a Kiliann Sildillia goal in the later stages of the second half saw France through against the African nation.

Team News and Predicted XI

New Zealand

New Zealand are considered to have one of the healthiest squads at the Paris Olympics 2024. With a variety of options available, coach Darren Bazeley will have interesting but useful conundrums during his selection.

Predicted XI: Paulsen; Bindon, Surman, Boxall, Sutton; Bell, Garbett, Singh; Randall, Bayliss, Waine

France

France too are quite a healthy squad. With not many injuries and attackers Michael Olise and the experienced Alexandre Lacazette in form, they will be difficult to be upstaged.

Predicted XI: Restes; Sildillia, Bade, Lukeba, Truffert; Millot, Kone, Chotard; Olise, Mateta, Lacazette

Match Deciding Duel

Jesse Randall vs. Alexandre Lacazette

Although Jesse Randall hasn’t been as clinical as the French attack, his blitz in New Zealand’s loss against the USA makes him a threat. The youngster was the one who gave New Zealand the consolation, in an otherwise lackluster performance from the Oceanian team. For France, Alexandre Lacazette and Michael Olise have been simply brilliant. Lacazette, with his immaculate experience can surely turn a game on its head.

New Zealand vs. France Odds

New Zealand: 6.25

France: 1.48

Prediction

New Zealand 0-3 France

We can once again expect a hammering/rout from France. Given New Zealand’s defensive flaws and France’s attacking prowess at the tournament, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this is the scoreline. A clean sheet for France!

Leeds United report: The Whites beaten 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday

Leeds United endured an afternoon to forget as they were beaten 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road on Saturday.

The Whites were guilty of wasting good first-half chances, with Jacob Murphy and Atdhe Nuhiu striking in the final 10 minutes to secure a 2-0 win for Garry Monk’s side at Elland Road, ending a three-game losing streak in the Championship.

In the early stages of the game, Leeds United dominated possession but couldn’t break a firm Wednesday defence, despite Luke Ayling, Helder Costa and Patrick Bamford all having efforts on Cameron Dawson’s goal.

Whilst Leeds’ chances were coming frequently, Wednesday also probed the home side’s goal, as Murphy just couldn’t connect Adam Reach’s cross well. As the half grew, so did Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, with Patrick Bamford having a goal ruled out for offside before Jack Harrison forced Dawson into a good low save.

A lot of chances were created by the hosts, only for the players to lack composure in the final third.

Bamford started the second half in the same way, missing a big chance from seven yards out, scooping the ball over the bar straight after the restart. Winnall almost punished Bamford’s miss but he couldn’t make a meaningful touch off Barry Bannan’s corner.

Chances dried up for both sides as the game approached its final 10 minutes, with Monk turning to the likes of Nuhiu and Joey Pelupessy, cancelling out any Leeds sting. And for all the control Leeds United had, Wednesday provided a sucker-punch in the 87^th minute.

Keiran Lee turned the ball over in Leeds’ half before the advancing Murphy was fed into the area, leaving him with enough space to fire beyond Casilla and stun the Elland Road crowd.

United were buoyed by the added time board, which showed five injury-time minutes but it was the Owls who struck again as Reach got in behind to pick out substitute Nuhiu.

Read more

• Why Leeds United should take a punt on Renaud Emond in January
• Why Glen Kamara would be a massive coup for Leeds United
• Why Leeds United should sign Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle on loan

Mightily disappointed with the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, here’s how some Leeds fans reacted.

Absolutely pathetic performance

— Jack 💙💛 (@KingWhiteRose) January 11, 2020

Haha…the annual collapse stars again 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

— Martinnelmes (@martinnelmes) January 11, 2020

Invest or a repeat of last season is on the cards.

— Andrew Ibbotson (@AIbbotson) January 11, 2020

Get a striker asap!!

— Atle Kristiansen (@AtleKristianse1) January 11, 2020

Literally copying last season, may as well write us off now

— Mauricesunderland (@Mozza_44) January 11, 2020

Embarrassing

— James (@YorkshireJAMES1) January 11, 2020

Dreadful result.

— Garry Pierrepont (@Weysider) January 11, 2020

SIGN SOME PLAYERS

— James Gibson 💙💛 (@JamesGibbo11) January 11, 2020

Need a new striker ASAP!

— Emma Scott (@emzscottxxx) January 11, 2020

Gutted

— Rob (@rob_brown8) January 11, 2020