Skip to main content
Mallory Swanson celebrates with Lindsey Horan after a goal against Germany as we offer our best picks and predictions for the Olympics quarterfinal between the USA and Japan.
Mallory Swanson celebrates with Lindsey Horan after a goal against Germany in a Group B match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games. Photo by Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports

The USA will face their stiffest challenge of the Olympics when they square off against Japan in Saturday's first quarterfinal. 

Winning all three group-stage games by a combined 9-2, Emma Hayes has enjoyed a dream start to her first major tournament in charge of the Americans. Hayes' side easily took care of the Germans, a side ranked three positions above Japan. 

Though current form belies those rankings, the Americans shouldn't fear any team at this juncture, especially after acquitting themselves magnificently throughout the group stage.

Our USA vs. Japan odds, picks, and predictions focus on the outcome and most likely goalscorer. The USA enter Saturday's final-eight tilt as the clear favorites across our best sports betting sites

Japan's opportunistic, often-lethal counterattack poses a threat to the USA's gold-medal hopes. However, form and a dominant head-to-head record favor the Americans. The USA have won seven of the eight tilts against Japan at major tournaments. 

USA vs. Japan predictions for Saturday

USA vs. Japan odds via our best soccer betting sitessoccer picks confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

  • Final score: USA 2 - Japan 1 (+700) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Mallory Swanson anytime goalscorer (+160) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Best bet: USA ML (-150) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

USA vs. Japan score prediction

USA 2 - Japan 1

The USA have the tournament's best offensive contingent. They scored nine goals in three group encounters, netting six against Germany and Australia, the world's fourth and 12th-ranked teams, respectively.

Meanwhile, Japan didn't keep a clean sheet in the group stage, allowing four goals. 

Though the Americans can score goals, they're not watertight defensively. Susceptible to the counter-attack and wide penetrating balls into the box, the USA will have to be on high alert against a Japanese side that prefers to concede possession and attack on the break. 

Japan have scored at least once in 17 straight contests since April 2023. While the Americans should have just enough to punch their semifinal ticket, I can't see them keeping a clean sheet. The +700 odds will yield a profit of $70 on a winning $10 wager. 

Odds: +700 | Implied probability: 12.50%

USA vs. Japan anytime goal scorer prediction

Mallory Swanson, Team USA

Swanson leads the Americans with three goals, scoring two against Zambia and one vs. Germany before being held off the scoresheet against Australia. She's scored on three of five shots on target and provides a constant threat, popping up with the quintessential ruthlessness of a top-tier forward. 

Embed content RQwsyqRQKPc image

Swanson has 27 goals in 43 starts with the USA, including six in 13 World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic contests.

With the +160 odds, you'll profit $16 on a $10 bet if Swanson scores before the full-time whistle. 

Odds: +160 | Implied probability: 38.46%

USA vs. Japan best bet

USA ML

The USA last won the Olympic gold medal in the 2012 London Games. Three tournaments without gold doesn't seem like a long time. And for most teams, it isn't.

However, the American women's soccer program bursts with elite pedigree, even during their comparatively abbreviated slides, making three tournaments feel like an eternity.

Hayes has got her team firing on all offensive cylinders. While her defense is still a work in progress, the USA are in an irrepressibly confident mood and built a ton of momentum throughout the group stage.

Their abundance of elite scoring talent should be enough to facilitate a quarterfinal victory over Japan without requiring extra time or penalties. 

The -150 odds will yield a $6.67 profit on a $10 bet if the Americans win in 90 minutes. 

Odds: -150 | Implied probability: 60%

USA vs. Japan odds & game info

USAJapan
Moneyline-150+380
Over/UnderOver 2.5 (-160)Under 2.5 (+125)
Spread-0.5 (-160)+0.5 (+115)
  • When: Saturday, Aug. 3
  • Time: 9 a.m. ET
  • Where: Parcs des Princes (Paris, France)
  • How to watch: USA Network, Peacock
  • Favorite: USA (-150)

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Related pages