📰 Table Of Contents
Panama vs Mexico recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS]
Panama vs Mexico match preview
After both were beaten in Thursday night’s semi-finals, how motivated will either be to finish third?
In the first of the mid-week semis, Panama were ousted 2-0 by Canada, proving why they were labelled rank-outsiders before a ball was kicked.
It was though a real achievement that los Canaleros reached this final four tournament, beating rivals Costa Rica both home and away in last year’s group phase.
So now, Thomas Christiansen’s team will be using this third-place match as preparation for the Gold Cup, with Panama’s opening fixture just eight days away.
La Marea Roja will meet Costa Rica again in that matchday one fixture in Florida, before taking on a prelim winner (Martinique or Suriname) in New Jersey, concluding against El Salvador in Houston.
So, will Panama claim bronze in their debut appearance at the CONCACAF Nations League Finals?
Both sides ended the night with nine-men, César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga ejected for el Tri, as the gulf that currently exits between the region’s big two was clear for all to see.
The match was suspended towards the end due to persistent homophobic chanting from the Mexican supporters, and the FMF surely haven’t heard the last of that.
Head Coach Diego Cocca is under huge pressure to deliver silverware this summer, with the Gold Cup now his only shot at that.
El Tri are in Group B, alongside Honduras, Haiti and Qatar, and Cocca could be out of a job if he does not deliver success in that tournament.
Before then, will Mexico save face a tiny bit by winning this third-place play-off at Allegiant Stadium?
Panama team news
José Fajardo sat out Thursday’s semi-final suspended, having been sent off in the win over Costa Rica in March, but is available to return here.
Éric Davis though came off the bench and got sent off in that defeat, so is suspended.
In goal, Orlando Mosquera surprisingly got the nod over Luis Mejía against Canada, but he’s set to win only his 11th cap here.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Mosquera; Blackman, Cummings, Escobar, Murillo; Carrasquilla, Bárcenas, Andrade, Godoy; Díaz, Fajardo.
Mexico team news
Centre-backs César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga are both suspended, following their red cards against USA, but Diego Cocca was likely to make wholesale changes anyway.
In goal, Luis Malagón won just his third cap in last Sunday’s friendly draw with Cameroon in D.C. so could be given another opportunity here, rotated in for Guillermo Ochoa who’ll turn 38 later this summer.
Up front, Santiago Giménez was surprisingly only on the bench in the semis, Henry Martín leading the line, but the Eredivisie title winner will surely get the nod this time.
El Tri’s lack of attacking threat is understandable, given that Tecatito Corona, Chucky Lozano and Raúl Jiménez are all sidelined.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Malagón; Sánchez, Guzmán, Reyes; Araujo, Luis Romo, Chávez, Gallardo; Córdova, Antuna, Giménez.
More betting offers
[BETTING_OFFERS]
