Panama vs Qatar prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-08 23:00.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals get underway with Group C winners Panama (FIFA rank: #57) taking on Group B runners-up Qatar (FIFA rank: #58) in their first competitive meeting since they played out a 3-3 draw in the group stage of this tournament two years ago, in which all six goals came after half-time! Panama are unbeaten in the 2023 tournament so far (W2, D1) despite not yet scoring before the 23rd minute, so they might need goals after the break once again.
The Canal Men made efficient progress into the last eight for the ninth time in their last ten Gold Cup appearances by scoring twice in each of their three group games, and that consistency might have them dreaming of a first semi-final appearance since 2015. However, with these two sides so similarly ranked and plenty at stake, it certainly won’t be easy for Thomas Christiansen’s men.
For the second successive Gold Cup, Qatar find themselves in the opening quarter-final and wouldn’t mind history repeating itself as they beat El Salvador 3-2 at this stage in 2021. The Maroon bowed out at the semi-finals that year, but having scraped into this knockout stage courtesy of a 1-0 win over Mexico in their closing group game, they start as clear outsiders as they bid for another run to the last four.
That’s unsurprising, because that win over a Mexico side that had already qualified was Qatar’s sole victory across their last six competitive internationals (D2, L3) , although head coach Carlos Queiroz must be hoping it can herald a better run of form for the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions and 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts.
Key battle: José Fajardo opened the scoring in two of Panama’s group games and his last four international strikes broke the deadlock. Qatar’s Hazem Shehata will be part of a defence that’s trying to stop him and he proved he’s a threat himself after netting the winner against Mexico.
Hot streak: The last three Gold Cup quarter-final stages started with games decided by one-goal margins.