Panama vs. Canada: Preview and betting tips

Canada will fly to Panama with the sweet feeling of advancing to the World Cup after thirty-six years. Panama has only a theoretical chance to participate in the barrage, it would have to blast the Maple Leaf while hoping for a Costa Rica loss.

Panama’s hopes of making the barrier dropped very low after losing to the USA. To jump to fourth in the table, it would have to beat Canada, rack up seven goals in the overall score and also need a Costa Rica loss.

Canada, on the other hand, can already play with a clear head. It secured a historic qualification to the tournament with a 4-0 win over Jamaica in front of its own fans on Sunday, so the wider squad and youngsters may get a chance on Thursday.

Panama boasts a well-functioning stopper duo. Andrés Andrade plays for Bundesliga side Bielefeld, while Michael Muriel is a mainstay for Anderlecht. The vast majority of the rest of the team is based outside Europe.

Canada is led by LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David, who has scored seventeen goals for the French side in all competitions. Winger Cyle Larin scored seven times and assisted once for Besiktas of Turkey.

Panama has struggled especially on the offensive end, scoring more than one goal in only one of their last six games, and have even come up empty twice.

Canada is the counterpart, with twenty-three goals scored, it has the best offense in the North American part of the qualifiers, scoring two or more goals in four of its last five games.

Despite the certainty of advancing, I think Canada, with good spirits in the locker room, will win this one.