Dark Horses Uruguay Open With Panama
Uruguay vs Panama Preview: Head-to-Head, Team News, Odds
Uruguay Looking to Remain Perfect Against Panama
Heading into Copa America 2024, Uruguay look like one of the teams to beat. They’ve beaten both Brazil and Argentina in the last year and have a star-studded roster.
On Sunday, they’ll open up their Copa America bid by taking on Panama in Miami. Panama have enjoyed some success recently but they’ve never beaten Uruguay. Read on for the team news and odds in our Uruguay vs Panama preview.
⚽ Uruguay vs Panama ⚽
Day/Time:
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Uruguay vs Panama Head-to-Head
Uruguay are 4-0 all-time against Panama. These sides last met in a friendly two years ago, which Uruguay won 5-0. They’ve also played two other matches within the decade.
In 2019, Uruguay won 3-0 and they also took down Panama 1-0 in 2015. Our Uruguay vs Panama preview notes that Panama have scored just one goal in four previous matchups.
Uruguay: One of the Teams to Beat
Coach Marcelo Bielsa has restored Uruguay’s confidence and there’s reason to believe they’re a strong contender for the Copa America title.
Only Argentina are ahead of Uruguay in South American World Cup qualifiers at the moment. Uruguay are 4-1-1 in CONMEBOL WCQ, with wins over Brazil and Argentina. As of the latest FIFA World Ranking, Uruguay are 15th in the world.
In a pre-tournament friendly Liverpool striker Darwin Nuñez netted a hat trick against Mexico.
- If he’s in form, the sky’s the limit for the Sky Blues. Uruguay enter the tournament at +500 odds to be crowned champions.
They’re also -140 favorites to finish in first place in the Group C Copa America standings. Luis Suarez is back in Uruguay’s squad as well and he’s Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer.
Heading into Copa America, Uruguay have scored in 15 straight matches. They’re also strong in other areas of the pitch.
The midfield boasts players like Fede Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur and Manuel Ugarte. Jose Gimenez and Ronald Araujo will spearhead the backline and Uruguay have kept three straight clean sheets in competitive matches.
Panama Optimistic Heading into Second Copa America
Panama reached the Gold Cup Final last year as they defeated the USA in penalties in the Semifinal. They also took down two-time defending AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar 4-0 in the Quarter-Finals.
Panama are also on a record five-game winning streak against regional rivals Costa Rica. So, they’re enjoying one of their best periods in the history of the national team.
Los Canaleros have appeared in one Copa America before, in 2016, and went 1-2. They’re looking for their first knockout stage appearance and have games versus Uruguay, USA and Bolivia.
Michael Amir Murillo, who will play on the wings, is one of Panama’s key players. Anibal Godoy brings tons of experience in midfield, while Cesar Yanis and Adalberto Carrasquilla are also ones to watch.
In March, Panama dropped the Nations League Semifinal to Mexico, 3-0 and also fell in the third place match to Jamaica, 1-0.
There’s potential for Panama to make a surprise run but their results are typically up and down. Los Canaleros have never won a major international trophy and they’re ranked 45th in the world.
Uruguay vs Panama Match Analysis & Odds
Given their recent form in competitive games and strong roster, Uruguay are -315 favorites for the primetime match on Sunday’s Copa America 2024 schedule.
Bielsa is notorious for grueling training sessions so his players should be fit and ready for this one.
- As La Celeste look to improve to 5-0 all-time against Panama, Uruguay -1.5 sits at -112.
Meanwhile, Panama have a point to prove here. Our Uruguay vs Panama preview notes they’re +825 underdogs.
- Bettors can find Panama -1.5 at -115, while a draw sits at +440.
Panama may have to defend for large swaths of the game and it’ll take a well-oiled machine to avoid defeat.
Panama haven’t exactly proven to be that and it’s unlikely they’ll get a result here. Currently the over/under is at 2, 2.5 but don’t put it past Uruguay to pour in the goals.
If they can score four against Mexico, they can certainly do similar damage to Panama.
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