<p>Now breathe. What on earth was that? Oh nothing, just one of the craziest and most entertaining football matches in Olympic history.</p> <p>After ending up on the right side of an 11-goal thriller against Zambia, the Matildas have set up this do-or-die match against perennial powerhouses the US of A.</p> <p>Ok, sure, prior to kick-off Zambia were paying approximately 21.00 to win and an hour into the match they were up 5-2, but take nothing away from the Tillies never-say-die attitude.</p> <p>Despite conceding in the first minute and then finding themselves trailing by three goals with half an hour to play, they never rolled over.</p> <p>Instead, they pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Australia football history, culminating in a 90th minute Michelle Heyman winner.</p> <p>However, start like that against the might of America and there will be no coming back for Australia. They must start this match how they finished the last, if they want any chance of forcing an upset and progressing out of the group stages at the 2024 Olympics.</p> <p>Can they do it? Let’s find out. For the latest news, lineups, odds, and betting tips for Australia’s next Olympic match, check out our Matildas vs USA predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Matildas Predicted Lineup</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Apparently, defence is optional at the 2024 Olympics, who knew. The Matildas have conceded eight goals in two games in worrying scenes for Tony Gustavsson.</p> <p>Hopefully the Tillies take up their option to defend their net with a little more intent in this match, otherwise they could get buried in an avalanche of red, white and blue goals.</p> <p>In an effort to mitigate America’s devastating front three of Rodman, Swanson and Smith, we expect at least one change to Australia’s somewhat leaky back four.</p> <p>Don’t be surprised to see an injection of experience in the form of someone like Clare Polkinghorne, who has more practice than most at marshalling a defence.</p> <p>Finally, this is surely the game Michelle Heyman finally wins a start for the Green and Gold, after her 90th minute winner from the bench against Zambia.</p> <p><strong>Australia predicted lineup:</strong> <em>Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Ellie Carpenter (vc), Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Steph Catley (c), Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond (vc), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australia vs USA Prediction</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>How the Matildas harness the belief they would have got from their last match miracle will be imperative as to how they will fare here.</p> <p>It becomes apparent that they’re going to need all the help they can get too when you take a closer look at their opposition.</p> <p>So far at these Olympics the USA have swept all in front of them, beating Zambia three-zip before taking care of Germany 4-1 on matchday two.</p> <p>Yes, the same German side that took care of us 3-0 in our opening game. Put all this together and things do not bode well for Australia.</p> <p>If you look at historical Australia vs USA meetings, it only makes matters worse. The Matildas have only beaten America once in 33 attempts.</p> <p>On the flip side, they’ve lost 27 times, managing just five stalemates, and conceding a whopping 103 goals across all 33 matches. That’s an average of just over 3.1 goals a game. Yikes.</p> <p>Obviously, this is football, and anything can happen, but it will take something very special from the Tillies to spring an upset for the ages on the USA here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/olympics-2024/womens-olympics/australia-w-v-usa-w--8435779">4-1 USA.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Matildas vs USA Olympics Betting Tips &amp; Predictions</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head (H2H)</h3> <p>At the time of writing, Australia are heavy underdogs in the H2H market to win this game. They are currently paying 7.00* to spring an upset and win, while you can get 5.00* for a draw.</p> <p>Based on goal difference and how results have played out in Group B, the Tillies will need at least a draw here to advance to the knockouts.</p> <p>A draw still won’t guarantee their passage and really, and deep down, they know they need to go for the win here.</p> <p>This will undoubtedly force them to throw caution to the wind and push forward the longer the game goes on and that is when the USA could pounce.</p> <p>Australia will have to get the balancing act between holding down the fort and going for it just right if they are to progress here. Something we are doubtful they can do.</p> <p><em>Odds are subject to change*</em></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/olympics-2024/womens-olympics/australia-w-v-usa-w--8435779">USA.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal</h3> <p>Since Australia are yet to score first in either of their games so far at the 2024 Olympics, we’d recommend picking one of America’s front three to find the breakthrough here.</p> <p>Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith are the aforementioned front three.</p> <p>Swanson has three goals so far this tournament, while Smith has two. Either of these are a fine choice for this market, but we're going for a value pick - Trinity Rodman.</p> <p>Yes, Rodman as in the daughter of Dennis. Trinity has burst onto the scene in the past few years and become one America’s leading football lights. She also opened the scoring in the USA’s opening group game against Zambia and we’re backing her to do the same again here.</p> <p>Thankfully Michael Jordan’s daughters have other interests, otherwise we can only imagine some of the scores they’d be able to put on teams.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/olympics-2024/womens-olympics/australia-w-v-usa-w--8435779">Trinity Rodman first goal scorer.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under</h3> <p>As mentioned earlier, when these two sides meet there is an expected total goals of at least 3.1. That’s some average considering it’s over a 33-game sample.</p> <p>All four games both Australia and America have played so far at the 2024 Olympics have gone over the 2.5 goal threshold.</p> <p>Also, in case you forgot, there were a total of 11 goals in the Matildas clash with Zambia. You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out all form lines point to the over being the more likely of the two to hit in this market.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/olympics-2024/womens-olympics/australia-w-v-usa-w--8435779">Over total goals.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Matildas vs USA Time and Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Thursday, August 1, 2024.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Marseille Stadium.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off time:</strong> 3:00am AEST.</p> <p><strong>Where to watch:</strong> The Nine Network and Stan Sport.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Sportsbet is not a sponsor of, and does not have any association with, the Australian Olympic Committee, the Olympic Games or the Australian Olympic Team and is not a sponsor of the Olympic Games.</em></p>