Edited By
Oliver Smith

The odds on Italy's total goals in the upcoming Olympic women's hockey game have raised eyebrows among bettors. With a line of -123 for 7.5 goals on FanDuel, many are questioning if the bet holds any merit.
A forum user expressed excitement over the unusually favorable line, but skepticism quickly followed from the community. Comments reflect a mix of hope and caution regarding the odds, especially considering Italyโs recent performance against stronger teams like the USA and Sweden.
"Their whole team is comprised of stars. This is the Olympics," noted one commentator, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.
Another reminded fans of Italyโs dismal 13-0 loss to Sweden back in 2006, adding, "Hopefully, theyโve been training since then."
While some believe Italy could score a few goals, most comments suggest the odds may be overly optimistic. Discussion points include:
Goal Scoring: Users pointed out the challenges Italy faces, with one stating, "Teams absolutely want to run up the score."
Team Dynamics: "I donโt know womenโs hockey at all, but even if we go up 4-0, I imagine the USA would care more about resting stars rather than risk injury."
The suggestions of blowouts resonate among bettors, with one stating, "I think the highest blowout has been by 5 goals in any of the games so far." This leads to speculation on whether Italy can really hit the over on goals amidst such competition.
โฝ Many comments show skepticism about Italy's chances to score.
๐ Quotes reflect a mix of optimism and doubt regarding exceedance of total goals.
โ One user emphasized value, stating, "Honestly, better bet is probably Italy over 0.5 goals at +310!"
With the game less than a day away, bettors find themselves divided on whether to go all in or tread carefully.
Experts estimate there's around a 65% chance that Italy's womenโs hockey team will struggle to surpass the 7.5 goal line against elite competition. Factors like previous score margins and team dynamics suggest that while a spirited effort from Italy is likely, the reality of high-stake Olympic games could see them limited in scoring. Bettors should weigh the strong possibility of the USA and Sweden intensifying their play, raising concerns about Italy's capacity to meet those odds. Itโs a fine line between optimism and realism, and with the puck set to drop soon, taking a cautious approach might be the wise choice for those looking to bet on this game.
A lesser-known incident comes to mind when considering Italyโs current situation: the Italian football team in the 1982 World Cup. After an underwhelming group stage, Italy stormed through the knockout stages to claim the title. Similarly, Italy's hockey squad finds itself bearing the underdog status amid formidable foes. Just as that 1982 team relied on ferocity and teamwork to defy expectations, Italy's hockey players could harness a surprising reservoir of grit and determination. This unpredictability in sports often blurs former forecasts, suggesting spectators should remain attentive as anything can happen on the ice.