USA vs Panama prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-12 23:30.
In what is becoming normal for them now, the USA are in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals for a 12th consecutive tournament. They reached the last four by seeing off Canada in an enthralling contest which finished 2-2 and had to be settled by penalties – despite the game having been level at 0-0 right up until the 88th minute. However, it was a mass brawl between players from both sides in the tunnel after the clash that stole lots of the headlines the following morning.
It’s fitting that the Stars and Stripes booked this semi-final spot in such dramatic fashion given that they have been the tournament’s entertainers so far, scoring more goals (15) and attempting more shots (85) than any other side. They now head into this game heavily fancied to progress further, not least due to their unbeaten record in their last ten matches (W7, D3) and a strong H2H record against Panama which has seen them win five of their last six meetings (L1).
Panama should come into the fixture high on confidence after blowing away Qatar 4-0 in their quarter-final tie. They have now won three of their last four matches (D1), having won just three from their 11 games prior to that run (D4, L4). That said, the Canal Men have only played El Salvador, Martinique and Costa Rica as well as Qatar so far in this Gold Cup, highlighting the step up in quality that awaits them when they take on B.J. Callaghan’s men.
In search of a good omen, Panama may take comfort from the fact that their previous appearance in the Gold Cup final came in the last year to end with a three, as they beat the then-reigning champions Mexico to get there back in 2013. As it happens though, the USA were victorious in that year’s final, though that ought not to deter Panama in their quest to repeat their 2013 heroics by knocking out the current holders at the semi-final stage.
Players to watch: USA forward Brandon Vazquez scored the opener against Canada and has netted in three of his four appearances at this year’s Gold Cup. At the other end of the pitch, Ismael DĂaz grabbed a hat-trick against Qatar to make it five goal contributions (G4, A1) in his last two Panama matches.
Hot stat: USA have scored in all but one of their 25 H2H meetings.