Mexico vs Panama prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-16 23:30.
Come the final whistle of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, one of two historic moments will occur. Either the familiar sight of the tournament’s dominant nation Mexico lifting their record-extending ninth crown, or Panama will be crowned kings of CONCACAF for the very first time should they pull off yet another almighty upset!
The bookmakers aren’t giving Panama much of a chance, and it’s no wonder since the Mexicans will walk out onto the SoFi Stadium pitch for their 11th Gold Cup final with a formidable conversion rate when reaching this stage, winning eight of their previous ten finals. The Tricolor have shown championship-winning form en route to the final too, winning both of their knockout games without conceding a goal, after winning two and losing one of their Group B games.
But the Panamanians boast something their favoured opponents don’t, and that’s an unbeaten record in this Gold Cup (W4, D1). Panama qualified for their first final in over a decade with a huge penalty shootout victory against hosts USA, a result that perhaps healed mental scars after seeing their only previous two trips to the Gold Cup final end in defeat at the hands of the Stars and Stripes.
Now that the Canal Men have gotten past one of their bogey teams, another lies in wait if they want to lift an inaugural Gold Cup crown, as their record against Mexico is poor to say the least. Indeed, Panama have only managed five victories in 41 H2Hs (D12, L24), with their last success coming a week shy of a decade ago by the time they kick off in California!
Players to watch: A goal by Henry MartĂn could set Mexico on their way to glory, since he’s never lost in national colours when scoring (W9). Meanwhile, Ismael DĂaz will remain dangerous for Panama throughout the match, after scoring all but one of his nine international goals after half-time.
Hot stat: Only one of the 12 Gold Cup finals that featured either of these teams has required a penalty shootout.