Winter Olympics 2022: Medal table outright preview

Winter Olympics 2022 medal table Outright betting: Who will win the most medals?

Norway

Outright medal table odds: 1.323*

Strong events: Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ski Jumping

Weak events: Bobsleigh, skeleton, skating

The Norwegians are the favourites to top the medal table again for a second successive year – as they attempt to seal a ninth victory overall. Norway possess an incredibly strong cross-country skiing and biathlon team – while they are always the leaders in the Nordic combined.

However, Norway pose less of a threat on the ice rink, so will need to dominate in the alpine categories to maintain their tag as the team to beat.

Germany

Outright medal table odds 5.640*

Strong events: Luge, biathlon

Weak events: Speed skating, snowboarding

Germany appear to be Norway’s biggest challengers for the top spot in the medal table after finishing second in PyeongChang 2018, just eight medals behind Norway.

The team are very strong in the biathlon and luge events, while they will also be a likely contender in the bobsleigh.

Germany have never won a gold in skeleton, ice hockey or freestyle skiing so racking up medals in these events for the first time could push them close to their first overall win since Turin in 2006.

USA

Outright medal table odds: 11.280*

Strong events: Speed skating, snowboarding

Weak events: Cross-country skiing, luge

The USA have good form across a myriad of events and could medal in a number of the 15 disciplines at Beijing 2022. However, their downfall could be the depth of talent at the highest level across their team, which has seen them finish only fourth in the last two Olympics.

Legendary Snowboarder Shaun White has said this may well be his final Olympics after claiming the gold medal in the halfpipe event in 2006, 2010, and 2018.

Canada

Outright medal table odds: 11.280*

Strong events: Freestyle skiing, Ice Hockey

Weak events: Luge, Biathlon

Canada’s Winter Olympic team has much in common with their southern neighbours. They won on home soil in 2010 and have medalled consistently in the last two competitions to finish with consecutive third-placed finishes.

They are traditionally strong favourites to win curling and ice hockey medals and once again will be much fancied to win the speed skating team event. However, the announcement that both NHL and NHLPA players will not be participating in the ice hockey tournament will weaken their chances of winning that event. After coming away with bronze in PyeongChang 2018, Canada will hope to at least secure another top-three finish.

Medal table outsiders: The best of the rest

The Russian Olympic Committee (11.280*) are joint-third to claim the most gold medals. They should be contenders in the figure skating after claiming two silver medals in 2018, while they could compete well in the skeleton too. After winning ice hockey gold in 2018, the news that NHL and NHLPA players will not be competing has strengthened their grip on retaining the gold medal. Sweden (63.300*) won seven gold medals in PyeongChang 2018 with the women’s team claiming five of them, including two in the cross-country skiing and alpine skiing. They’ll be competitive but may have to settle for only slightly improving on their sixth-place finish four years ago.

Will China make the most of home advantage?

China should give a good account of themselves in their home games. They will be pinning their hopes on snowboarder Cai Xuetong, but will also have medal chances in freestyle skiing. China is hoping these games will lead to larger participation in winter sports in the country and that the Games will be a springboard to China becoming a first-class winter sports destination.

Where can I bet on the Winter Olympic medal table Outright market?

Now that you know who the main contenders are, you can take advantage of Pinnacle's unbeatable Winter Olympic medal table odds including Over/Under betting for individual countries. For information about specific events and previous competitions, see our Winter Olympics betting archive.

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