Argentina vs France Prediction & Betting Tips - Men's Olympics Handball

Prediction published on 31/07/2024, 05:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 31/07/2024 at 19:31 in Men's Olympics Handball Predictions

The bottom two countries in Group B meet on Friday. Olympic hosts France are fifth in the group with just one point from three games. They face bottom-of-the group Argentina, can the Gladiators beat France? Read our prediction.

It's a disappointing campaign for France who are the current Olympic and European champions. To reach the last eight, France need to finish in the top four. With two games remaining they are a point adrift of fourth-placed Hungary. After this match the French side take on the Hungarians on Sunday.

A win over Argentina is vital if they are to reach the knockout stages. France began the group with an eight-goal margin loss to Denmark, though they only trailed by one at the break. A second defeat followed when losing to Norway. They finally got a point  when drawing with Egypt.

That could have been another loss as they trailed the Egyptians by five goals at the break. The French side have now only won two of their last six matches  They played Argentina in a friendly four months ago and won by nine goals.

Argentina have no points and the worst defensive record in this Olympic tournament. 109 goals have been conceded in their three group matches. There's still faint qualification hopes as they are only two points behind fourth place.

Their last fixture is against third-placed Egypt so it looks tough for them. So far in this group they have lost to Norway, Hungary (by ten goals) and on Wednesday were beaten by Denmark 38-27. Their last eight internationals have all ended in defeat. We tip France to win on a -8.5 goals handicap.