Olympic Soccer 2016: Brazil vs. Germany Live Stream, Odds and Prediction
Brazil can gain a measure of revenge when they take on Germany in the gold-medal match at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana Stadium. The Selecao will be keen to erase the memory of their dismal 7-1 semi-final defeat against Germany at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Oddsmakers believe the South Americans can get their revenge, and are tipping a star-studded squad led by Barcelona forward Neymar to get the win. However, it won't be easy against an accomplished German side built on midfield power and excellent technique in forward areas.
Before a preview and prediction, here are the schedule and streaming details, followed by the odds:
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Date: Saturday, August 20
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. BST
Live Stream: NBC Olympics / BBC Sport
| Team | To Win | Draw |
| Brazil | -190, 15-13 | 33-13 |
| Germany | +145, 14-5 | 33-13 |
| First Goalscorer | Odds |
| Neymar | 3-1 |
| Gabriel Barbosa | 7-1 |
| Gabriel Jesus | 7-1 |
| Nils Petersen | 7-1 |
| Serge Gnabry | 12-1 |
| Julian Brandt | 12-1 |
| Both Teams To Score | |
| Yes | 3-4 |
| No | 25-19 |
| To Score a Hat-Trick | |
| Neymar | 20-1 |
| Serge Gnabry | 125-1 |
Serge Gnabry will Score First
He's found the net six times to lead all scorers at these games, and Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry is well worth a bet to strike first at 12-1. Jack Lang and Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC have identified the cat-quick winger as Germany's key danger man.
Lang highlighted Gnabry's pace as a potential problem for full-back Zeca, who likes to travel forward and can be caught out positionally. It's a dangerous combination against a player with Gnabry's perceptive movement.
The timing and direction of his movements are as important as the speed of his runs. If Gnabry drifts into the middle, Brazil's full-backs will be dragged with him. Given the number of quality passers in German ranks, they should have no trouble finding the 21-year-old exploiting defensive gaps down the sides of the Brazilian back four.
Both Teams Will Score
On the face of it, this could be a tough defensive battle, despite all of the star forwards set to feature. After all, Brazil's defence has yet to be breached at these Games thanks to the talent and expert leadership of Paris Saint-Germain ace Marquinhos.
Germany have also steadied the ship after a rocky start and haven't conceded in their last three matches. In particular, Borussia Dortmund's Matthias Ginter has proved to be a talisman at the back.
Yet, it's still too difficult to believe neither side will find the net in this final. They've both been free-scoring during the knockout phase, with Brazil hitting eight goals, compared with Germany's six.
There are just too many skilled attackers in the final third for this one to end 0-0. Neymar and Chelsea's Willian are ably supported by young stars Gabriel Barbosa and Gabriel Jesus for the Selecao. Meanwhile, Gnabry's efforts have been complemented by fellow winger Julian Brandt, as well as strikers Nils Petersen and Davie Selke.
Defences may have been on top recently for these two teams, but expect goals in the final, with both teams scoring a solid bet at 3-4.
Germany Will Win
Brazil have been mightily impressive in recent matches, so their status as favourites makes some sense, particularly on home soil. However, Germany boast the more well-rounded squad.
There's an abundance of pace, width, intelligence and creativity in attack. Just as importantly, though, there's brains and brawn underpinning everything in midfield.
Lars Bender is the combative box-to-box roamer who also boasts an underrated eye for a quality pass between the lines. Brother Sven Bender is the disciplined destroyer who expertly protects the back four.
Throw in Max Meyer's vision and flair, and Germany have the ideal balance in the middle.
As if their overall talent isn't enough, the Germans also have their own extra motivation for winning. Claiming gold would be a fitting sendoff for coach Horst Hrubesch.
The 65-year-old is already relishing this final and telling his players to do the same, according to German publication Kicker (h/t ESPN FC's Uli Hesse): "You can go to the Maracana and play for the gold medal in front of a sell-out crowd against none other than Brazil. What more can you hope for as a young player?"
A fond farewell awaits Hrubesch as his carefully constructed team can once again play spoilers on Brazilian soil.
Prediction: Brazil 1-2 Germany
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
