Costa Rica vs Panama Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Costa Rica won League A Group 1 of the CONCACAF Nations League to edge their way through to a two-legged quarter-final against automatic qualifiers, Panama, this week.
Kick-off date/time: Friday 15th November, 2024: UK – 2:00am / Thursday 14th November, 2024: US ET – 9:00pm / US PT – 6:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Coverage is shared between CBS & Paramount +
How to watch online: UK – CONCACAF GO & YouTube / US – Golazo Network
Costa Rica Preview: REBUILDING COSTA RICA
Costa Rica, under the management of interim coach Claudio Vidas, are currently ranked 50th in the world according to FIFA. The Ticos came through the league phase with two victories and two draws in their four matches during the autumn international breaks.
The Costa Ricans come into this one on the back of hammering Guatemala by three goals to nil at the National Stadium of Costa Rica last month with goals scored by Warren Madrigal, Kenneth Vargas and captain Francisco Calvo.
Panama Preview: SOLID PANAMANIANS
Panama qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and they will believe they have a very good chance of qualifying for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup in a couple of years, which will be held in North America across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Panamanians come into this one on the back of a back-to-back friendly defeats against Canada and United States during the October international break since losing 5-0 to Colombia in the quarter-finals of the CONMEBOL Copa America this summer.
Costa Rica Team News: LESS EXPERIENCE
In recent tournaments, Costa Rica have relied on experience but they have moved to a new generation with the likes of Alonso Martinez, Andy Rojas and Brandon Aguilera.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Sequeira; Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo; Quiros, Bran, Vargas, Martinez; Madrigal, Ugalde, Aguilera
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Panama Team News: AVERAGE SQUAD
Panama have an average squad with a bit of quality at the back such as Olympique de Marseille man Michael Amir Murillo and Norwich City centre-back Jose Cordoba.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Mosquera; Escobar, Farina, Miller; Murillo, Martinez, Carrasquilla, Blackman; Barcenas, Guerrero, Rodriguez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
Costa Rica vs Panama Prediction
Both sides’ strength, as has been the case for much of the last decade, is defensively. For example, Costa Rica came through their CONCACAF Nations League group phase by conceding just one goal in four matches, whilst Panama have been reliant on their best players being at the back with the aforementioned Jose Cordoba and Michael Amir Murillo. This is expected to be a game determined by fine margins and a low-scoring encounter is to be expected for this first-leg.
Costa Rica vs Panama Tip: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
