Oh, you thought the soccer tournaments were done for the summer?
Guess again, mon frères
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics kick off its men's soccer competition in the early hours (Eastern time) Thursday with eight games, including some that have my favorite matchups.
Sharks versus minnows.
Any time I can get a team like Spain, which is favored to win the tournament, against one of the smaller countries, I am going to roll with it.
Thursday, the Spanish side gets Egypt to start its run in the first contest of the event. I like two games that follow in the next hour, with New Zealand playing South Korea and Ivory Coast taking on Saudi Arabia.
Remember, this is a U23 tournament, with a few overage players allowed. So just because the senior team is loaded does not mean this one will be.
Check Fubo.TV for schedules
2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS MEN'S SOCCER
Egypt (+2500) vs. Spain (-550), draw (+425), 3:30 a.m. EDT (Olympic Channel, Universo, and Fubo.TV)
New Zealand (+600) vs. South Korea (-182), draw (+260), 4 a.m. EDT (NBCSN and Fubo.TV)
Ivory Coast (-125) vs. Saudi Arabia (+350), draw (+250), 4:30 a.m. EDT Olympic Channel and Fubo.TV)
THE PICKS:
Spain -1.75 (-110)
Spain first half -0.75 (-105)
South Korea -1 AH (+110)
Ivory Coast ML (-125)
Ivory Coast to score in first half yes (-110)