Panama have an opportunity to progress to the Copa America knockout rounds on Monday when a win over Bolivia could possibly be sufficient to see them e-book a spot within the final eight. The high-stakes Group C finale comes 4 days after Panama surprisingly defeated the U.S. 2-1, profiting from an early pink card given to the opposition. They technically nonetheless rank behind the U.S. within the standings on tiebreakers, however a positive matchup in opposition to Group C bottom-dwellers Bolivia means there’s optimism on Panama’s aspect heading into the matchup.
Here is what you might want to know earlier than tuning in.
watch and odds
- Date: Monday, July 1 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando, Fla.
- TV: FS2 | Dwell stream: Fubo (Strive free of charge)
- Odds: Bolivia +480; Draw +290; Panama -165
Group C outlook
Whereas Uruguay high the group with six factors, Panama are tied on factors with the second-place U.S. workforce and stand an actual likelihood of leapfrogging them due to the schedule. Los Canaleros must play last-place Bolivia, who’ve zero factors to this point and have conceded seven objectives within the competitors. It signifies that they’ll match or higher the U.S. on factors by the ultimate whistle, they may have the ability to overcome the +2 purpose differential benefit the event hosts have on them and e-book a spot within the final eight within the course of.
Storylines
Bolivia: This has been removed from an excellent journey to the Copa America for Bolivia, who’ve been outscored seven to zero by their opponents to this point. Their group stage finale is predicted to be their best matchup, however that doesn’t imply it’s going to really be straightforward — Panama may not hand them a 5-0 drubbing à la Uruguay on Thursday, however Bolivia’s porous protection leaves them weak to conceding in opposition to most opponents. It additionally doesn’t assist that Bolivia don’t boast a ton of pure goalscorers on their roster — Rodrigo Ramallo leads the Copa America squad with simply seven objectives for his nationwide workforce in 40 appearances.
Panama: What many predicted could be a dead-rubber sport now has remarkably excessive stake. Panama will possible intention to attain loads in opposition to Bolivia as a way to not simply beat them however pad their purpose distinction with a spot within the final eight on the road, and it helps that they’ve scored in every of group stage video games to this point. Los Canaleros have unfold out the goalscoring duties however Caesar Blackman and Jose Fajardo have been fairly efficient in opposition to the U.S. and could also be counted on once more in opposition to Bolivia. The workforce shall be with out Adalberto Carrasquilla, although, who bought a pink card for a reckless foul on Christian Pulisic in the direction of the top of their win over the U.S. on Thursday.
Prediction
The inducement is on Panama to select up a large win on Monday, and whereas three’s little indication this could possibly be a blowout, anticipate them to get the job executed with a little bit margin for error. Whether or not or not it is going to be sufficient to ship the U.S. packing, although, is a special story. Decide: Bolivia 0, Panama 2