Considering the problem of overcurrent caused by load motor overload during actual operation of matrix converter, an overcurrent protection strategy based on current prediction is proposed in this paper. The strategy uses the discrete-time model of matrix converter system to predict future values of the output currents for all the 27 possible output voltage vectors generated by matrix converter. Then, comparing the predicted future output current with the protection threshold current, the system will immediately send an overcurrent alarm signal to the controller to control the switch off of matrix converter switch device when the predicted current value is greater than the protection threshold current. And it protects the power switch device and the load motor from the damage of the fault. Finally, the effectiveness of this overcurrent protection strategy is verified by Matlab/Simulink simulation and experiment. This work is supported by Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province (No. 182300410280), National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFC0600906) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U1404522).