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It only takes one look at the US gold medal odds to realize the United States is primed to dominate at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That won’t be the case in men’s field hockey, though.
The US isn’t even in the field at top online betting sites, so you’ll have to look for value with someone else. It’s honestly a pretty wide open category, too, as the favorite is priced at +320 and five countries in total have odds of +900 or lower. This is a far different look than the 2024 Women’s Olympic Field Hockey landscape, which has a clear-cut favorite for gold.
With a race this tight, how should you bet? I’ll walk you through the latest 2024 men’s field hockey odds and break down the best bets before coming to a winner prediction.
Odds to Win Men’s Field Hockey at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Belgium leads the way with the best Paris Olympics men’s field hockey odds, but as noted, the gap is not wide.
Usually legit favorites are closer to -110 or +100, so any way you slice it, there’s value to be had with betting on who will win the men’s field hockey competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
| 2024 Men’s Field Hockey Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Belgium +320 | Netherlands +335 |
| Australia +400 | Germany +450 |
| Great Britain +900 | India +1400 |
| Argentina +1600 | Spain +2500 |
| France +5000 | New Zealand +6600 |
| Ireland +7500 | South Africa +12500 |
The pricing above can be found at Bovada, but I suggest shopping around to find the best men’s field hockey betting odds for the team you prefer.
Most sites are still favoring Belgium to win, and the Netherlands can be found right behind them at most sportsbooks as well. But is Belgium a safe bet at their +320 price tag, or is this an Olympics betting market where we can throw caution to the wind and back a different country to win at even more advantageous odds?
Let’s first look at why Belgium is the men’s field hockey betting favorite before analyzing the country’s stiffest challengers at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Why is Belgium Favored to Win Gold in Men’s Field Hockey in 2024?
It shouldn’t shock anyone that pays attention to men’s field hockey that most sports betting sites favor Belgium to win at the 2024 Summer Games.
They’re the defending gold medal champions from the last olympics, after all, when they took down Australia in an epic penalty shootout.
It’s certainly fair to note that Belgium won by a narrow margin.
The game literally ended in a 1-1 tie, and Belgium only won 3-2 via when factoring in the penalty shots. However, it’s not like they were a surprise to get that far, seeing as they were playing for a gold medal four years prior at the 2016 Rioe de Janeiro games.
Belgium has experienced some roster turnover since their gold medal performance, which could be enough reason to have a wandering eye in favor of another bet. That said, they do remain a very nice value as the defending champs.
Top 2024 Olympics Men’s Field Hockey Contenders
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to back the defending champion, who have solid +325 men’s field hockey odds, but this field does feel as wide open as ever. There’s some stiff competition for gold this year, too.
To gauge who could dethrone Belgium, let’s size up the top three men’s field hockey contenders for 2024.
Netherlands +335
The Netherlands weren’t able to place four years ago, but they should be regarded as a viable contender due to their steady history in this event.
They did manage to reach the Bronze Medal game in 2016, and they’ve literally been in contention for gold in eight of the last nine Olympics.
Even better? The Netherlands won back-to-back gold in 2000 and 2004, and they’ve been in the gold medal game four times in the last nine Summer Games.
Their history in this field is baked into their price, but it’s pretty arguable this should be the top betting favorite to win gold in men’s field hockey this year.
The Netherlands come in as strong as anyone, as they claimed gold at the 2023 EuroHockey Championship and are ranked #1 in the world. Adding studs like Xander Bronkhorst and Thierry Brinkman just might solidify an already imposing and championship-caliber roster.
Australia +400
Another legit contender to win gold in men’s field hockey at the Paris Games is Australia. The biggest reason has to be the fact that they very nearly took home the top prize at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
As noted before, they barely fell to Belgium, as they were tied 1-1 before losing by one in the penalty shootout. Australia didn’t place four years prior, but they have a strong history in this field with two consecutive Bronze Medals won in 2008 and 2012.
Australia even won it all back in 2004, and they’ve been brewing nasty contenders for ages, with the country reaching at least the Bronze Medal game 12 times since 1960.
That experience actually translates, as Eddie Ockenden leads a squad that has been around the block a few times. He’s literally making his fifth Olympics appearance personally, while his Kookaburras enter the competition on fire after winning the FIH Pro League.
Germany +450
Another strong contender to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics is Germany. They barely missed out on the Bronze Medal in Tokyo, and they’ve been a constant force in this competition for what seems like forever.
Sticking with recent history, Germany won back-to-back gold medals in 2008 and 2012, and in 2016 they claimed the Bronze Medal.
This is always a team bettors have to keep in mind, so naturally when you see them priced at +450, it’s tough to write them off so quickly.
They didn’t win it all at the last Summer Games, but they are the reigning World Cup champion, where they edged out the likes of Belgium and the Netherlands.
All things told, this country is a sports handicapper’s dream.
Germany might offer the best package of value, recent success, talent, and experience. Nothing is guaranteed – especially in the Olympics – but getting Germany at this price feels like highway robbery.
Best 2024 Men’s Field Hockey Value Bet at Paris
I have to also point out Great Britain (+900) as a nice value. They’re technically among the top contenders to win gold in men’s field hockey, but they’re going to go overlooked.
Perhaps that shouldn’t be the case, as they were quite dominant with a 3-0 run and 16 goals (just two allowed) in the preliminary round at the 2024 Men’s FIH Hockey Olympics Qualifiers.
They made it all the way to the title game, narrowly losing to Germany, 1-0.
While I am gladly giving a tip of the cap to Great Britain as a solid betting value, my favorite sleeper pick is undeniably going to be India.
India hasn’t claimed gold in this competition at the Olympics since 1980, but there’s always the chance they rally and get it done. Their +1400 odds are very inviting in a field where a clear favorite arguably doesn’t exist, and they have momentum after claiming the Bronze Medal in Tokyo four years ago.
Could India be ready to storm the castle and take down Belgium, Germany, and the like? Well, they literally outlasted Germany in a tense 5-4 battle in the last Summer Olympics, and not much has happened to make you think they can’t be a viable threat again.
Adding a formidable drag-flicker like Harmanpreet Singh could give them a considerable boost, while the team has a very strong narrative backing their plight.
When it comes to betting on the Summer Olympics, sometimes a good story is more important than the odds. However, in this case, India’s price and narrative combine to give us one heck of a package to cheer for.
2024 Men’s Field Hockey Winner Prediction
If I am placing multiple bets on the men’s field hockey gold medal winner this year, I’d definitely find my way to India at that +1400 price tag.
However, for the most part, I’d concentrate on the top contenders, with the defending champion Belgium and the 2023 World Cup-winning Germany being at the forefront.
Ultimately, I like Germany to get it done this year. Belgium is a solid bet to place again, while India is a really fun high-level sleeper pick you can target lightly.
However, Germany has the best form and is routinely in this thing up until the end. After not placing at all in 2020, I expect them to be as hungry as ever. A return to the top platform at the 2024 Paris Olympics feels like a viable bet, and their +450 odds only make it more appealing.
Bet: Germany +450
