Players' injuries in the lead-up to a tournament can significantly impact odds for various reasons. Firstly, the absence of key players often reduces a team's perceived strength, prompting bookmakers to adjust their odds to reflect this diminished potential for winning. This can lead to shorter odds for opposing teams, altering the betting landscape. Additionally, if a star player is injured but still manages to participate, uncertainty about their performance can lead to volatility in odds as bettors react to conflicting information regarding their fitness.