Olympics - Women's football Sunday predictions: Favourites to make their mark
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![Yui Hasegawa's Japan were beaten 2-1 by Spain in their opening contest](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/27072024/bb6c5316-ebac-48af-9c87-2c8c996e79e7.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- All 12 teams are in action in the second round of Group matches on Sunday
- Recommended bets:
- Both teams to score in Brazil vs Japan
- Spain to win to nil vs Nigeria
The heavyweights of women's football picked up routine wins in round one at the Olympics, and Sunday's round of fixtures will give 12 teams a chance at improving their hopes of qualification.
France, Canada, Germany, the United States, Spain and Brazil all won in round one, and further positive results will push them one step closer to qualification.
Brazil vs Japan (Sunday, 4pm)
The stats
Japan go into their clash with Brazil following a 2-1 defeat to Spain in Nantes, but pushing the ante-post favourites all the way is something to be proud of.
Nadeshiko Japan have Yui Hasegawa and Fuka Nagano in their ranks, but Brazil have plenty of tournament experience and got off to a winning start by beating Nigeria 1-0.
Brazil have won three games in a row inside 90 minutes, while they have lost only two of their last 12 in all competitions.
Prediction
Brazil will lean heavily on Marta and Kerolin to produce the goods this summer. The fact that they have won two silver medals in the past means there is an expectation that they compete again.
However, Japan proved against Spain that they will not be pushed over easily. Japan have scored in seven consecutive games, including a 1-1 draw versus Brazil.
Spain vs Nigeria
The stats
![Aitana Bonmati was on the scoresheet for Spain in their Olympic opener against Japan](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/27072024/1290684e-4b39-441e-9e1a-26514ea1a46e.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Spain went into the tournament as Nations League champions, and they have won 17 of their last 19 matches in all competitions.
They have scored two or more goals in 16 of those games and they should put Nigeria under pressure from the outset.
Nigeria are known for producing shock results, having held England to a 0-0 draw in last year's World Cup. They are notorious for keeping things tight, with their previous five games containing no more than one goal.
Prediction
Spain are well fancied to prevail this summer in France, and with Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Salma Paralluelo in their ranks, it is easy to see why.
Nigeria will do their best to unsettle them, having kept South Africa and Cameroon at bay in the last five months, but Spain play at a much higher level.
With Nigeria a tad shay in front of goal, Spain will look to control proceedings and pick up another routine win as they try to move one step closer to winning this year's tournament.