London Olympics 2012 - Mens Football Group C

Football Betting Tips takes a look at the teams making up Group C. Tournament favourites Brazil look to have an easy ride to the knockout stages. Olympic gold is the only major trophy to elude them in world football.

Mens Olympic Football - Group C Analysis

Group C - Betting Odds (Best Prices)

• Brazil                    2.88 Outright. 1.17 Group C Winner.
• Belarus                67.0 Outright. 13.0 Group C Winner.
• Egypt                    67.0 Outright. 14.0 Group C Winner.
• New Zealand      201 Outright.  41.0 Group C Winner.

Brazil have the squad to win this no question, Coach Menezes just has to find the right balance and the gold medal should be in the bag. The youngsters won the South American championship at a canter, winning 7 of their 9 games and scoring 24 goals. Neymar the undoubted star of the show. The Santos forward topping the scoring charts with 9 goals and giving defenders nightmares with his sublime skills. The attacks come from all over the pitch for Brazil with raiding full backs Rafael/Danilo and Marcelo. With Oscar and Lucas Moura attacking from the middle and the threat of Hulk,Pato and Leandro Damiao Brazil have options all over the place. They have selected Thiago Silva which outlines how serious Brazil are. Currently the best defender in club football.

Overage Players: Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Hulk.

How Qualified: Won South American title. Won 7 of their 9 matches to top round robin group.

Star Man. Neymar is the player everyone is looking forward to seeing. Blessed with acceleration,speed, dribbling and a great finisher Neymar has all the attributes to be one of the world's great players. Can be prone to excessive showboating however and does go to ground too easy.

Emerging Star: Lucas Moura is an attacking midfielder who despite only being 19 has over 100 games for Sao Paulo and 15 senior caps for Brazil. As a player he has everything, His passing and vision is top class. He can see passes from nothing. Also has an excellent scoring record having notched 27 times already.

Belarus will be looking to take points off Egypt and New Zealand in order to progress. Preperations have not been good with a poor showing in the Toulon tournament. They bowed out in the group stage finishing bottom with only 1 point.. However they played decent football at times in the 2011 under 21's finals, indeed they were 1-0 against Spain with only 2 minutes left on the clock in the Semi Finals but fell to a late equaliser and were defeated in extra time. The team is not very experienced but will be capable of holding their own against the other two group outsiders.

Overage Players:Aleh Veratsila,Stanislaw Drahun and Sergei Kornilenko.

How Qualifed: Came 3rd in U21 finals. Only won 2 out of 5 games however.

Star Man: Sergie Kornilenko is a talented striker who has been drafted in to provide goals. This nomadic forward has had spells all over the old Soviet Union. Scoring goals wherever he has gone. Had an excellent season with Krylia Sovetov scoring 10 times in 22 games. Has netted 12 times for the senior side also.

Emerging Star: Renan Bressan is a Brazilian born attacking midfielder. He has played in Belarus for 5 years and gained citizenship in April. Has topped the goalscoring charts in 2010 and was given the player of the league award too. Talented player who will relish the game against his homeland.

Egypt will be hoping to perform on the world stage as the domestic league has shut down after the Port Said football disaster. The team are hugely experienced having been together as agroup since March 2011 and have played 28 games in that time. The Toulon tournament was difficult as they were in a hard group. Finished joint 2nd but were eliminated on goal difference. The Olympic side even replaced the senior side on two occasions in the African Nations Cup. This group of players could surprise their Group C opponents and with the addition of three of Egypt's best players in recent times they will be a strong outfit. All three overage players will only play the group stage matches due to club commitments.

Overage Players: Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Aboutrika and Emad Motaeb.

How Qualified: Finished 3rd in CAF finals. Winning 3 of 5 games.

Star Man: Mohamed Aboutrika is a classic number 10 who can play as striker or attacking midfielder. Has been close to being named African player of the year on numerous occasions. Is one of Egypt's best ever players. Also has a very good understanding with fellow overage player Moteab. They have a great understanding of each others play and will be interesting to watch how they perform.

Emerging Star: Marwan Mohsen has been the main striker for the under 23 side. He will be the focus of many European scouts in London after scoring 20 goals for the Olympic side in only 32 games. His season was disrupted in Egypt due to the problems they had there.  Mohsen was about to move to one of Egypt's major clubs but the move fell apart. 

New Zealand will be massive underdogs and are the least prepared side in terms of competitive fixtures. The squad has been enhanced by selecting the three best Kiwi overage players but they will struggle in the tournament to get out the group. This will be a good experience for the New Zealand side and they may benefit from playing Brazil last.

Overage Players:Ryan Nelson,Michael McGlinchey and Shane Smeltz.

How Qualified: Won Oceania title winning 4 games from 4, scoring 16 goals.

Star Man: Ryan Nelson has been immense for New Zealand and should captain the side. Central defender will have to play at maximum level and will have to organise the youngsters around him. 

Emerging Star: Kostas Barbarouses is one of the few Kiwis plying his trade in Europe. The forward has just joined Panathinaikos after a short but successfull spell in Russia. He has a great scoring record for New Zealand youth but it must be said the games are at a much lower level. 22 goals in 27 games is a fantastic return. Has featured for the senior side.

Betting Tips:

Brazil are the outright tip but the price has shortened considerably. The original 4.30 has long gone and 2.88 seems to be around the correct price. The team is stuffed with talent in all departments. They have an easy group and should avoid Spain in the Quarter Finals by winning the group. 2.88 looks still like a price worth backing. Trying to find the other "To Qualify" spot looks to be a head to head between Egypt and Belarus. The Egyptians for me are the better bet with a strong, experienced side and excellent overage selections. 2.10 "Egypt to Qualify" is the bet. 

*Please be aware that 3 overage players for Egypt (Aboutrika, Fathi and Motaeb) will leave tournament after group stage due to club commitments. Massive loss for Egypt if they qualify.