London Olympics 2012 - Mens Football Group B

Olympic football previews continue with a look at Group B. It looks a fairly even group with all four sides in with a chance of qualification. Betting predictions will look down the teams and analyse their strengths and key men.

Mens Olympic Football - Group B Analysis

Group B - Betting Odds (Best Prices)

• Switzerland 13.0 Outright.     2.30 Group B Winner.
• Mexico          17.0 Outright.    2.65 Group B Winner.
• South Korea 51.0 Outright.   7.00 Group B Winner.
• Gabon           67.0 Outright. 11.00 Group B Winner.

Switzerland go into the tournament as group favourites after a successful qualifying phase were they never conceded a single goal until the final (a 2-0 loss to Spain) The team is a multi ethnic blend of rising stars, They have garnered success at youth levels recently thanks to an overhaul of their development system. Playing a brand of high quality,high spirited football Swiss youth football is on the ascendency. The most interesting point of team selection was the overage players, low key selections were made which shows the trust the manager has in his U23 side. The denial of Bayern Munich to let fantastic talent Xherdan Shaqiri play and the last minute rejection from Fiorentina to stop Behrami playing is disappointing but the Swiss team still has some excellent players in Fabian Frei, Innocent Emeghara and Pajtim Kasami.

Overage players: Diego Benaglio,Timm Klose and Xavier Hochstrasser

How Qualified: Topped group a with 100% record. won Semi final 1-0 then lost final 2-0 Spain. Qualified as runner up.

Star Man:Pajtim Kasami will have more pressure now after the late withdrawel of Valon Behrami. There is no denying his talent as he has is a very promising player, a centre midfielder with excellent creative play.

Emerging Stars: Innocent Emeghara and Admir Mehmedi were an excellent partnership that caused many problems in qualification. The two clever forwards combined well and should carry this understanding on in London. Mehmedi was 2nd highest scorer in qualifiers and earned himself a transfer to Dynamo Kiev. While Emeghara has featured for the senior side and has scored over 50 goals in his career so far.

Mexico like Switzerland are reaping the benefits of investing in youth football after winning several recent tournaments. The olympic side romped home to landing the Concacaf championship scoring 16 goals and conceding just 3 goals, they carried on scoring and winning with another 14 goals in the successful Toulon tournament. The core of this Mexican side have played many games together and should go into the tournament with confidence and an outside chance of winning it. With the addition of three very good overage players Mexico tick all the boxes.

Overage Players:Jose Corona, Carlos Salcido and Oribe Peralta

Star Man: Giovanni Dos Santos can play in any forward position and even on the wing. Its hard to believe he's still only 23, he hasn't really settled in Europe having played for 6 clubs already. He's played many games for Mexico though and has scored 14 goals in 59 senior appearances. 

Emerging Star: Marco Fabian has an amazing scoring rate for Mexico youth sides. Topping the scoring charts with 5 goals and 7 goals in the last two finals. The Chivas man has an impressive 27 goals in 125 league games also.

South Korea will look to improve on their many finals disappointments, having qualified an impressive eight times they have never bettered a quarter final finish. South Korea went unbeaten in qualification winning four and drawing four. Particularly strong in defence having only conceded 3 goals in 8 matches.Legendary player Hong Myung-Bo leads the side and has kept faith with mainly the same starting eleven. It will be interesting to see how the three over age players fit in the team as only striker Park Chu-Young is a high profile player. Motivation will be high for the team as any Korean winning an olympic medal is exempt from military service.

Overage Players: Jung Sung-Ryong, Kim Chang-Soo, Park Chu-Young.

Star Man:Koo Ja-Cheol is an all action midfilder with a terrific engine, offers great support to the attackers and usually captains the side. Has an excellent goalscoring record for the senior side with 10 goals in only 27 games. Currently playing in Germany where he had an excellent 2012 with 5 goals starring for Augsburg.

Emerging Star:Ki Sung-Yeung has become the pivotal man for Celtic and a mainstay for South Korea even though still only 23. Supremely talented central midfielder with excellent vision and passing ability. Danger man from set pieces.

Gabon have qualified for the first time in their history. They look unlikely to be able to progress but there is no doubt they have quality.They have had terrible preperations with some internal FA wranglings that have effected the team. Currently preparing in Austria the team have suffered injuries, most importantly to star man Andre Poko, who will be a massive loss. One major plus is that half the Olympic side make up the senior national side. They will be comfortable playing with each other and will be difficult opposition in Group B.

Overage Players: Didier Ovono,Bruno Manga and Charly Moussono.

Star man:Pierre Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line for Gabon, The St Etienne striker will be looking to carry his fine form on in London. With Poko out the French born forward will have extra pressure to perform.

Emerging Star: Alex N'Doumbou is a pacey winger who can play on either flank. Full of tricks and good crosser will be looking to create some chances.

Betting Tips:

Group B is very tight and will take some getting out of, all teams are capable of taking points of each other. I favour the 2nd favourites again here with Mexico's superior attacking options and top level overage players. 2.65 looks a big price at this stage and 17.00 outright looks a great bet seeing as they will possibly play GB or Uruguay in the quarter finals.