Panama vs USA Prediction and Betting Tips: Expect the United States to cruise to victory
Hosts the United States got their Copa America 2024 journey off to the best possible start with a 2-0 win over Bolivia in Arlington on Sunday and they will feel very positive ahead of their next outing against Panama.
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The Panamanians head for the game in Atlanta off the back of a 3-1 reverse against Uruguay in their Group C opener and now with the buoyant hosts next up.
The pressure was very much on Gregg Berhalter heading into the opening round of games but the USMNT boss will be feeling a little less restless now as he takes his team to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for matchday two of the Copa America.
All things assessed, the win over Bolivia in Texas was a near-perfect start for the United States as tournament hosts.
Within three minutes skipper Christian Pulisic had settled the nerves, playing a one-two off a short corner with Timothy Weah before driving to the corner of the penalty area and bending a shot in off the underside of the crossbar to put his side in front.
Striker Folarin Balogun was another USMNT asset under some pressure starting into the Copa America, his goals having dried up a little, but a low left-footed shot to the corner of the Bolivian net on the stroke of half-time secured the US success and ticked another box in style for the manager.
Later, Panama were plucky but ultimately powerless against a talented Uruguayan side. The game wasn't without positives however.
Panama are under the tutelage of Danish-born boss Thomas Christiansen and their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying section sees them more accustomed to facing opponents ranked outside the top 150 in the world. Here, they face the team ranked 11th in the FIFA standings.
Panama vs USA Tips
Getting punished by stronger opposition is something Panama will have to learn to deal with and, like Uruguay, the United States possess the attacking talents to do just that.
The US burst from the blocks against Bolivia – Balogun had already missed a half-chance even before Pulisic opened the scoring on three minutes and they were two clear at half-time.
Panama put a big effort in against Uruguay and got nothing, tiring late on as those second and third goals duly arrived. They might struggle to get the tempo up in this game and it's worth taking the 2/5 match favourites to get their noses ahead by the break en route to another win.
Folarin Balogun is the man tasked with leading the line for USMNT at this home Copa America and the former Arsenal youth product will have been thrilled to open his account against Bolivia.
The 22-year-old striker bagged his fourth international goal in his 13th cap, but a first since October's friendly win over Ghana in Nashville, a run of six games without scoring.
For a player that had moved to Ligue 1 outfit Monaco in a deal worth £34m last summer it was an unwanted streak and one he will be glad to have ended. Panama are ideal opposition for Balogun to face next and he can go two for two at the Copa America.
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