Overview
With just two games to go in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, no teams have secured their berth to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That can change on Sunday when the United States hosts Panama, needing a win or draw and a Costa Rica loss at El Salvador to clinch a top-three spot.
This is a must-win for Panama if they still want to qualify directly as a top-three finisher and stay in contention for the fourth place that gets a playoff berth. Canada lead the Octagon with 25 points while the United States and Mexico both have 22. Costa Rica jumped Panama on Thursday and sit in fourth with 19 points while the Panamanians have 18.
Last games records
The USA tied 0-0 at Mexico on Thursday, having the better goal-scoring chances. Panama took an early lead at home but were eventually held to a 1-1 draw by eliminated Honduras,
These teams met in October in this qualifying round, with Panama winning 1-0 at home. Anibal Godoy scored in the 54th minute, and the US didn’t put a shot on goal in the contest. Panama outshot the US 8-5 with four shots on goal and had more corner kicks (7-6) and slightly better possession.
The Americans won a friendly between the teams 6-2 in November 2020 and took a 1-0 win at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the last qualifying cycle, the US won at home 4-0, also in Orlando.
Matchup Information
- Sunday, March 27. 7:00 p.m. ET, FS1
- Orlando, Florida
- Exploria Stadium
United States vs Panama Betting Analysis
Panama Betting Analysis
Thursday was a tough result for the heavily favored Panamanians, who are now fifth in the Octagonal table. They must get a result on Sunday and will need to play aggressively from the start against the US.
Manager Thomas Christiansen has bounced between a 4-2-2-2 and a 4-2-3-1 in the qualification process. He played the former in the 1-0 loss at Mexico in February and the latter on Thursday night. With the 4-2-3-1, he made three changes to the starting lineup, two of them in the back four, with Andres Cedeno and Jorge Gutierrez getting the starts.
Godoy, who plays in MLS for Nashville SC, is the captain and holds down the defensive midfield. His midfield partner, Coco Carrasquilla, also plays in MLS with Houston Dynamo.
Striker Gabriel Torres has 22 career goals in 99 caps but was an unused substitute on Thursday against Honduras. Rolando Blackburn started up top and scored the lone Panama goal, his 10th in 44 caps.
Alberto Quintero and Jose Luis Rodriguez could play big roles in the attack on Sunday as they team with Yoel Barcenas in midfield. Barcenas features for Leganes in Spain while Rodriguez plays for the Spanish side Sporting Gijon.
Luis Mejia is the man in goal for Panama. Fidel Escobar and Michael Murillo are the constants in the backline, the latter playing in Belgium for Anderlecht. Christiansen has cycled out the other two defenders recently and has options to defend against the US attack.
United States Betting Analysis
This is a massive week for Gregg Berhalter and the United States. They are on the brink of qualifying thanks to the draw at Azteca on Thursday, but they still have business to handle. The goal differential could be the deciding factor, and finishing in front of the goal is what let the US down in Mexico.
Christian Pulisic and Jordan Pefok had golden opportunities to score against Mexico, and Claudio Reyna was a game changer after coming on for Timothy Weah. Reyna played 90 minutes for Borussia Dortmund in the final game before the break but hasn’t played a full 90 for the US since September. With Weah out on Sunday, Reyna could be handed the start in attack with Pulisic.
Ricardo Pepi was ineffective up top against Mexico but should get more space to roam against Panama if he’s selected again. Pefok and Paul Arriola give Berhalter options in attack, with Jordan Morris likely to come off the bench again.
There’s no doubt the US plays better and seems more relaxed at home with goals in six straight qualifiers stateside. Finding the goals and the right combination will be the challenge for the coaching staff while also balancing a squad that could have a big game next week in Costa Rica.
The US has been dangerous on corners and free kicks, especially finding the head of center back Walker Zimmerman. He scored in the last round of qualifiers and also netted for Nashville SC in the most recent MLS Matchweek.
Updates
The US have been hurt by injuries for this match, with usual starters Weston McKennie, Matt Turner, and Sergino Dest are all out, as is Brenden Aaronson. DeAndre Yedlin and Weah are both suspended after picking up a yellow card on Thursday while Reggie Cannon is out with COVID-19. Defender Shaq Moore, who started against Panama in October, has been recalled in his place.
Panama does not have any yellow card suspensions of note for this match. They appeared to get out of Thursday’s game against Honduras relatively healthy.
- The US has won five straight home qualifiers
- Panama has been shutout in two straight road qualifiers, 1-0
- The US has three straight home clean sheets
- Panama is winless in their last three road qualifiers
- The US has scored in all six home qualifiers with 11 total goals
- Panama has allowed a goal in eight straight qualifiers
United States vs Panama Betting Preview
Panama beat the US last time around, but this is a different USMNT and a new set of circumstances. Pulisic and Reyna both missed that first game with injury while Adams and Miles Robinson didn’t start. Five of the 11 starters from that contest aren’t on the team this time around.
There will be massive pressure on both sides to get a result from this game. It will be interesting to see how the Americans respond to the pressure, especially if they don’t get a goal early. The longer this game is scoreless, the better for Panama.
Berhalter’s team selection is crucial as he’s still looking for the right combination to facilitate Pulisic’s success and get goals. A Reyna-Pepi-Pulisic combination may be what gets it done.
United States vs Panama Betting Prediction
Looking at the sports betting guides, the United States are favored at -270 for Sunday’s game. Panama is a +600 underdog to get all three points, and a draw is +380.
Over 2.5 goals is +100 and under 2.5 goals is -130. Both teams to score is +105.
As for our FIFA world cup qualifiers predictions; United States 2, Panama 1.
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