"Uruguay are the sole nation to have prevailed every time they have participated."
Michael Lintorn offers five reasons to consider backing Uruguay for the men's gold, and also talks up Switzerland's chances...
It isn't often that a case is presented for a competition's third favourites being underrated, however that argument is certainly applicable to the Uruguay men's team at London 2012, who are some distance behind Brazil and Spain at 8.67/1 to claim gold.
The progress
Uruguay are some distance clear of 2.721/1 favourites Brazil in the FIFA world rankings and deservedly so after upstaging them at both World Cup 2010 and Copa America 2011. They reached the semi-finals of the former and won the latter to establish themselves as South America's current top team.
The talent
The age limits rule out the likes of Diego Lugano and Diego Forlan, but Uruguay's squad features plenty of senior stars and an absolutely stunning set of attacking talents trumping Spain and perhaps Brazil. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Abel Hernandez and Gaston Ramirez are all among their options.
The Olympic pedigree
While Brazil have never secured Olympic gold and Spain only did it on home soil, Uruguay have twice triumphed, with both victories occurring in Europe. They are the sole nation to have prevailed every time they have participated, those wins accompanying their first spell as a major international force.
The coach
Whereas many countries have separate coaches running the Olympic and senior sides, Uruguay can call on the veteran tactician responsible for all their recent success, Oscar Tabarez, in London. Brazil have their national boss Mano Menezes in place too though he is nowhere near as proven at this level.
The Olympic factor
This isn't the World Cup, where only a limited number of teams realistically have a shot at the top prize. The last 11 editions have produced ten different winners and not all of those were established threats, for example Poland, Nigeria and Cameroon. Brazil have competed 12 times without winning.
The other price that leaps out in the market is the 19.018/1 on Switzerland grabbing gold. They aren't paired with any of the four favourites, joining Mexico, South Korea and Gabon in Group B and tend to bring their best to global tournaments, conceding just once in seven games at the last two World Cups. They have wisely called upon international goalkeeper Diego Benaglio too.
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