Panama vs USA prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: Copa América betting tips on match 2024-06-27 22:00.
[p]Panama creditably stayed in the game against Uruguay, before two late goals saw them fall to a 3-1 defeat in their Copa América opener in Miami. Thomas Christiansen’s side now head to Atlanta to take on hosts United States of America needing a result, otherwise they risk repeating their group-stage exit of 2016 – their only prior Copa appearance and the only previous time USA hosted![/p]
[p]While the Canal Men’s overall H2H record is poor (W4, D4, L18), two of those wins came in the last three meetings (L1), including most recently last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final in San Diego. On that day, Panama needed a penalty shootout to win after a goalless draw in 90 minutes, which is incidentally the only 0-0 draw they’ve played out inside regulation time in more than two years.[/p]
[p]The United States are no strangers to goals either after opening their campaign by beating Bolivia 2-0, with all the scoring completed before half-time. After losing only one of their last five matches (W3, D1), Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson spoke afterwards about how important the win was to help them build confidence with tougher games to come.[/p]
[p]On paper, this is one of them as Panama sit 41 places higher than Bolivia in FIFA’s rankings, but the Stars and Stripes will still start this match as favourites. Another win here would see them match their group stage points tally from the 2016 tournament in which they finished fourth as hosts, but Gregg Berhalter’s side will have to build on a mixed record on home soil of late (W3, D1, L2), albeit that draw came against Brazil in Orlando. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After netting against Uruguay, Michael Murillo has directly contributed to three goals in his last five matches for club and country (G2, A1), while Pulisic has scored the USA’s first goal in both of their last two games – with each strike coming inside the opening half-hour.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of the USA’s last eight Copa America games saw both teams score (W4, L4).[/p]