AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

STAR PREVIEW: USA v Panama

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’ll all be about the panama hats next week at Glorious Goodwood but ahead of that it’s USA v Panama tonight in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 Third Place Play-Off.

Ok, so that’s the clubhouse leader for the 2015 most crudely constructed link award now let’s get down to business.

As always, with this type of match, it’s the game that neither team wants to be in and whether they see it as an obligation or consolation is anyone’s guess.

The natural instinct is to assume a low scoring game but historically this 3rd/4th place play-off has produced goals and it might be simply a case of them starting to relax and playing more freestyle and open football. Because it doesn’t really matter (that much).

It’s certainly a surprise to see defending champions USA here – they were short odds to beat Jamaica in the semi-finals but never recovered from Jamaica’s two goals in five minutes during the first half.

The two sides have already met in this tournament – it finished 1-1 in the Group stage.

Panama were desperately unlucky not to progress to the final, despite being down to 10 men after 25 minutes they took the lead against Mexico on 57 minutes and looked all set to hold on before a controversial last minute penalty to Mexico was put away by Jose Andres Guardado and another Guardado spot kick sealed victory in extra time.

USA v Panama
CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 Third Place Play-Off
BT SPORT 2, 9pm

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Jul 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Panama 1-1 USA
Feb 2015 International USA 2-0 Panama
Oct 2013 World Cup Panama 2-3 USA
Jul 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup USA 1-0 Panama
Jun 2013 World Cup USA 2-0 Panama
Jan 2012 International Panama 0-1 USA
Jun 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup USA 1-0 Panama
Jun 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup USA 1-2 Panama
Jul 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup USA 1-1 Panama
Jun 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup USA 2-1 Panama

Could be an eventful game, despite the status of match, and I’m taking a punt on over 2.5 goals at around 5/6 with Star Sports.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK OVER 2.5 GOALS for 10 points at around 5/6 with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: LOSS 30.49 POINTS (Open golf bets outstanding)

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321

SHARE VIA