Uruguay vs Panama Predictions and Match Preview

Uruguay vs Panama Prediction

Uruguay, the fifteen-time champions, are set to face Panama in their opening match as favourites. They come into the Copa America with the main goal of reclaiming the title they last won in 2011. To kickstart this journey, they need to secure a win against Panama and establish a strong position early on.

A brace from Diego Forlan and a goal from Luis Suarez ensured La Celeste secured their 15th Copa America title in 2011. Since then, Uruguay has failed to impress, reaching the quarterfinals three times and failing to make it out of the group stage once. Coincidentally, it was in the 2016 edition of the Copa America Centenario hosted by America that they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

As they say, the first game is always the hardest, so playing against Panama will come with that pressure for Uruguay but they have enjoyed success every time they have had to play against Panama. In three meetings, they have scored nine goals and conceded none.

Panama, despite their record against Uruguay, will rely on their physicality and a relatively young squad to defy the odds, an almost impossible task. This is their second appearance in the tournament after participating in 2016, but with only one win and four goals, the odds are stacked against them.

Their recent result has not offered much hope either, winning two and losing three of their last five matches across all competitions, all in 2024. Uruguay on the other hand, apart from losing to Cote D’Ivoire in a friendly game in March, had been unbeaten since October 2023. They did secure a comfortable four-nil victory over Mexico in their final tune-up match for the Copa America, which should count for something for La Celeste.

Uruguay Team News

A heartwarming news for Marcelo Bielsa and fans of La Celeste perhaps is the news of Darwin Nunez voluntarily handing back the number 9 jersey to veteran Luis Suarez as a mark of honour to the all-time goalscorer who makes his final bow for the nation. Bielsa would not be expected to be confused on his choice of a starting striker between the pair.

The manager has shown a preference for the 4-3-3 attacking formation through the years, although in the last friendly against Mexico, he deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation which saw Nunez score a hat-trick.

Uruguay predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Sergio Rochet; Araujo, Gimenez, Caceres, Vina; Valverde, Bentacur, De La Cruz; Pellistri, Nunez, Oliviera

Panama Team News

Panama captain Anibal Godoy has been ruled out of the Copa America after suffering a grade 2 thigh injury in their last friendly match against Paraguay, and Abdiel Ayarza was his replacement in that game.

This is not the kind of news manager Thomas Christiansen would have expected, certainly not one coming on the eve of a major tournament. It is not clear how he plans to manage without his influential captain, who fits perfectly into his preferred 3-4-3 formation. It will be left to be seen if he decides to tweak his formation with this injury, especially against a formidable opponent in Uruguay or if he sticks to what he knows and what has worked for him.

Panama Predicted line up (3-4-3)

Mosquera; Escobar, Córdoba, Andrade; Barcenas, Carrasquilla, Davis, Ayarza; Farjardo, Waterman, Díaz.

Uruguay to begin with a bang

Uruguay are odds-on to win against Panama and this is why they are priced at low 1.32 odds. So, we have to improvise and combine with the over 2.5 goals totals to get a decent 2.00 odds.

We believe this is a good punt since their squad has some world class players in Federico Valverde, Darwin Nunez and the evergreen Luis Suarez. Furthermore, the La Celeste have beaten Panama is their last three meetings scoring 9 goals conceding none in return.

Darwin Nunez is set for his first appearance at the Copa America, following his hot form against Mexico in their friendly match where he scored a hat trick. Granted, he misses a lot of chances, but he seems to be in form and we are backing him to score anytime.

Liam Foster- June 20, 2024

Uruguay vs Panama Betting Tips

Uruguay to win & Over 2.5 goals

OK

	2.06 Odds
	2.00 Odds

Correct score: Uruguay 3-0

OK

	9.00 Odds
	8.00 Odds

HT/FT Uruguay/Uruguay

OK

	1.91 Odds
	1.81 Odds