Uruguay vs Panama Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 1: Bielsa to start with a bang

USA, Copa America, Monday, June 24th, 02:00 (UK)

Away from Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay are the most likely nation to win the 2024 Copa America title. 

Their opponents in Group C present the perfect pathway to the knockout stage, especially with Panama and Bolivia La Celeste’s opening matches before tackling the hosts, USA. The hosts, however, have delivered underwhelming performances in the build-up to the tournament.

Uruguay, however, arrive in form. Impressing in the World Cup qualifiers, Bielsa masterminded back-to-back victories over Brazil and Argentina, the latter in their own backyard.

A convincing 4-0 win over Mexico, where Darwin Nunez scored his first hattrick for Uruguay, showed how prepared they were to begin Copa America – as if Bielsa would allow anything different.

With a midfield consisting of Manuel Ugarte, Nicolas de la Cruz and Federico Valverde, Uruguay can control their opening match vs Panama, who have lost all three head-to-head meetings to date.

The gulf in quality is evident, and Uruguay can deliver a convincing victory and set the tone as they waltz into the knockout stage in first spot at the expense of the US.

• Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 1: Uruguay -1.25 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 2.04
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 2: Dominance from the first whistle

A blistering start saw Uruguay put three past Mexico inside 30 minutes as they continued their preparation for the tournament.

Devastating counter attacks caught Mexico out time and time again, as Uruguay used their wide players to stretch Mexico’s defence, with players taking minimal touches in order to progress the ball as quickly as possible into the box.

While Panama would have observed Mexico’s high press, stopping the way in which Uruguay moves the ball at pace is going to be difficult for them. 

Bielsa likes Toluca’s Maximiliano Araujo and Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri on the wings, and while they may not be the biggest names in the tournament, both carry out their responsibilities incredibly effectively. Both able to make runs cutting inside the full-back or holding the width will cause Panama plenty of issues across the 90 minutes.

With recent defeats to their name against Jamaica and Mexico, Uruguay will cause Panama all kinds of issues, and this match could be over by half-time.

• Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 2: Uruguay Half Time/Full Time
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 3: Defence to remain untroubled

Away from Uruguay’s impressive attacking qualities, initial concerns around Bielsa’s inability to keep clean sheets have almost been swept to one side.

Clean sheets against Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia showed El Loco knows how to set his team up to keep opposition at bay. Clean sheets against Costa Rica and Mexico in recent friendlies also can’t be dismissed.

Flamengo’s Matheus Vina and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo offer pace and protection from the full-back positions, while Napoli’s Matheus Olivera is the experienced head in the central role – and Bielsa trusts him.

Panama have scored in three of their last five matches (at the time of writing), but goals against Costa Rica, Guyana and Montserrat won’t intimidate a team like Uruguay. The games they didn’t score in were against Jamaica and Mexico – two nations nowhere near Uruguay’s current level.

This should be a routine victory for Uruguay, and it’s a price which is likely to go off at odds-on – so bank the evens now before it’s too late.

• Uruguay vs Panama Prediction 3: Uruguay win to nil
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Uruguay vs Panama Prediction odds via bet365 as at 15:00, June 11th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Uruguay vs Panama Team News and Possible Lineups: Nunez set to shine

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez definitely divides opinion but the striker continues to shine under Bielsa. Currently leading the race for the golden boot in the World Cup qualifiers with five goals, his hattrick vs Mexico indicates he’s ready to work hard for not only his manager but his nation.

Bielsa decided to not call up Luciano Rodriguez, who’s reportedly on his way to Girona, and Manchester United’s Pellistri is likely to start on the wing in his place.

Uruguay have no injury concerns heading into their opening match vs Panama, and the third favourites to win the tournament will have no excuses but to secure three points and deliver a convincing performance on Monday evening.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Vina, Olivera, Caceres, Araujo, Valverde, Ugarte, Araujo, de la Cruz, Pellistri, Nunez

Panama possible starting lineup:
  Mejia; Davis, Cordoba, Farina, Murillo, Godoy, Barcenas, Martinez, Welch, Puma, Guerrero

Copa America Match Stats: History favours the favourites

• Uruguay has won all three previous head-to-heads vs Panama without conceding.
• Darwin Nunez heads into the tournament as the third favourite for the golden boot, having scored his first international hattrick vs Mexico.
• Uruguay scored at least two goals in every World Cup qualifier to date (six).

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