Uruguay vs Panama Prediction & Betting Tips (24 June)

The most successful team in the history of the Copa America with 15 titles tied with Argentina, Uruguay, on the other hand, has not triumphed since 2011. During the previous edition contested in 2021, the Celeste fell from the quarter-finals against Colombia. Subsequently, she disappointed during the 2022 World Cup by failing to get out of the groups. The selection, however, has performed better since the arrival on the bench of Marcelo Bielsa last June. This is verified in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup where Federico Valverde's teammates occupy 2nd place in the ranking with 13 points taken in 6 matches. They won their last 3 matches played against Brazil 2-0, Argentina 0-2 and Bolivia 3-0. Less to its advantage during the March friendlies, Uruguay drew against a Basque selection 1-1 before losing against Ivory Coast 1-2. But it got back on track by crushing Mexico 4-0.

Panama will play the 2nd Copa America in its history after its elimination in the group stage during the 2016 edition. The Central American selection will certainly have to work hard to achieve a better run this year. Absent from the 2022 World Cup, Thomas Christiansen's men then took part in the Gold Cup last summer where they reached the final, beaten by Mexico. Also involved in the Nations League of the CONCACAF zone, they defeated Costa Rica in the quarter-finals during last November's meeting 6-1 after the two-legged matches. In March, however, they suffered the law of Mexico in the semi-finals 0-3 before falling against Jamaica in the match for 3rd place 0-1. In recent weeks, Panama has gained confidence by winning against Guyana 2-0 and Montserrat 1-3, two very modest teams for qualifying for the next World Cup 2nd round. Just seven days ago, Panama lost in a friendly against Paraguay by the narrowest of scores 0-1.

For Uruguay, striker Vinas (Leon, 1 goal in 2 sel) was forced to withdraw. Furthermore, midfielder Cesar Araujo (Orlando, 1 sel) and offensive players Facundo Torres (Orlando, 1 goal in 17 sel), Luciano Rodriguez (Montevideo, 0 goal in 3 sel) and Merentiel (Boca Juniors, 0 sel) were excluded from the extended list for this Copa America. Note that the experienced Cavani (Boca Juniors, 58 goals in 136 seasons) was not called up (international retirement). The central hinge could be made up of the captains Gimenez (Atlético Madrid, 84 sel) and Araujo (Barcelona). The other sectors do not lack quality with in particular the presence of midfielders Bentancur (Tottenham, 59 sel) and Valverde (Real Madrid, 56 sel) as well as attackers Suarez (Inter Miami, 68 goals in 136 sel), Brian Rodriguez (America, 4 goals in 23 sel) and Nunez (Liverpool, 11 goals in 23 sel), author of a hat-trick against Mexico during the last preparation match. The main known face in this Panama team is that of Marseillais Murillo who, with 72 caps under his belt, is one of the most capped players on this team.

Only captain Godoy (Nashville, 140 salts, 4 goals) does better. Otherwise, we find in this team the goalkeeper Mosquera (Maccabi Tel Aviv), the defenders Blackman (Slovan Bratislava) and Cordoba (Norwich), and the midfielders Rodriguez (Famalicao) and Welch (Academico de Viseu) who also play in Europe. In this team, the attackers Diaz (9 goals in 40 sels), Waterman (9 goals in 40 sels) and Fajardo (11 goals in 47 sels) are the most likely to make this selection shine. Injured, senior defender Andrade (LASK, 35 sel) is not there, just like veteran Quintero (133 sel) and attackers Stephens (29 sel) and Blackburn (54 caps, 12 pawns).