USA v Panama

USA vs Panama Preview

This week also brings us the semi-finals of the Gold Cup in North & Central America and as expected, joint-hosts, USA, have progressed through to the final four nations of this bi-annual tournament where they will take on Panama at the Snapdragon Stadium for the right to take on either Jamaica or Mexico in the final.

USA had to overcome a spirited Canadian outfit though in the quarter-finals which saw the tie eventually settled in a penalty shoot-out in favour of USA after the scores were level at 2-2 at the end of normal time as the joint-hosts of this year's Gold Cup went toe-to-toe at the TQL Stadium.

USA had earlier sailed through the group stage as they finished top of Group A thanks to an opening 1-1 draw with Jamaica but they then boosting their goal difference in no uncertain fashion as they registered heavy and comprehensive 6-0 defeats upon both St Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago to finish ahead of runners-up, Jamaica, in the group.

USA are also unbeaten in each of their last 10 matches in the Gold Cup, winning nine of these along with scoring in each of these 10 games as well.

By contrast, Panama experienced very little resistance from surprise-package, Qatar, in their quarter-final tie as Panama ran out easy 4-0 winners against this year's Gold Cup invitees to book their place in these upcoming semi-finals but they now face a tough proposition in the shape of the joint-hosts, USA, on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory over Qatar made it three wins in four games for Panama in this edition of the Gold Cup following earlier wins against Costa Rica and Martinique, each by 2-1 margins, along with a 2-2 draw with El Salvador which culminated in Panama finishing top of Group C.

However, the bigger picture shows Panama have managed to capture just five wins out of their last 14 matches in all competitions but goals for both teams have featured prominently with eight of these 14 games resulting in both teams hitting the back of the net (57%).

This is the best showing from Panama in the Gold Cup though for some time and they are unlikely to be fazed by this upcoming tussle with USA after seeing how close Canada pushed the hosts in their previous match.

USA v Panama Verdict

Both USA and Panama have produced some impressive performances during this Gold Cup and both nations look set to get on the scoresheet in this semi-final which could end up being a close call as to who progresses to this year's final.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score Yes @ 2.10

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.80

Correct score: 1-1 @ 7.00