USA vs Panama Betting Preview
July 5, 2017
Kick-off: Saturday, July 8, 2017 @10:30 PM GMT
Venue: Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
Head to head record
Panama vs USA 1-1 (2018 World Cup qualifiers)
USA vs Panama 1-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Panama vs USA 1-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
USA vs Panama 2-0 (2015 Friendly International)
Panama vs USA 2-3 (2014 World Cup qualifiers)
USA vs Panama prediction
The United States of America kick off their 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a game against Panama at Nissan Stadium in Tennessee. The Yanks are determined to regain the trophy, but coach Bruce Arena has decided not to count on star players for the upcoming tournament.
No Altidore, Bradley, Dempsey…
The United States of America are eyeing their sixth Gold Cup trophy. The Yanks failed to impress at the 2015 tournament and, no doubt, they are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign. The USA are seen as one of the main favourites to win the 2017 Gold Cup, but you should bear in mind that coach Bruce Arena has decided to rest the likes of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Christian Pulisic and Clint Dempsey for the World Cup qualifying games. It is more than obvious that the U.S. national team’s main goal is to book their place at the next year’s showpiece tournament in Russia, but regardless of which players will be deployed in the starting line-up against Panama, the Yanks are definitely capable of picking up all three points from the match. In-form attacker Juan Agudelo, who has netted seven goals in MLS so far this season, will be one of the men to watch in the home team.
Coach Bruce Arena has no fresh injury worries and the experienced tactician is likely to stick to the 4-4-1-1 formation. Kellyn Acosta, who scored in a 2-1 win over Ghana, is likely to keep his place in the starting XI.
Four-game winless run
Panama, on the other hand, do not seem to be on top of their game ahead of the start of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Los Canaleros failed to win previous four matches in all competitions and they sit in fourth position in their World Cup qualifying group. Hernan Gomez’s men face an uphill task in the opening match of their Gold Cup campaign and, no doubt, they would be happy with one point from Saturday’s clash against the tournament hosts. Panama have yet to win the Gold Cup trophy, but they faced USA in the final of the 2013 tournament at Soldier Field in Chicago. Brek Shea scored the winner for the Yanks 20 minutes before the final whistle, but los Canaleros got their revenge on Bruce Arena’s men at the 2015 Gold Cup. Panama defeated the USA on penalties in the knockout stages of the tournament and it remains to be seen if they are capable of repeating the success.
Experienced midfielder Armando Cooper, who plays for Toronto in MLS, is likely to start the match, whilst Gabriel Gomez, who has netted 12 goals for the Panama national team to date, will be yet another man to watch in Hernan Gomez’s team.
Interesting Facts
- Under 2.5 goals have been scored in last four meetings between the two teams
- The USA are on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions
- Gabriel Gomez could earn his 132nd cap for Panama against the USA
- Yanks are undefeated in previous six games at home
- Cristian Roldan has yet to earn his first cap for the USA
USA vs Panama betting pick
Considering that the USA kick off their Gold Cup campaign with a severely-weakened squad, I do not believe that they are going to roll over Panama in their opener. In each of their last four meetings in all competitions under 2.5 goals have been netted and, taking everything into account, a low-scoring affair appears on the cards.
Pick: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 5/8
