CONCACAF Gold Cup: Panama vs Qatar Quarterfinal Odds
Panama Take Group B
Qatar Advance By Skin of Teeth
The CONCACAF Gold Cup knockout stage kicks off on Saturday evening with a quarterfinal matchup between Panama and Qatar. Panama managed to win Group C and were no doubt the most impressive team in the group. Meanwhile, Qatar finished second in Group B and advanced to a second straight Gold Cup knockout stage. Let’s look at the Panama vs Qatar quarterfinal odds ahead of Saturday’s match in the Dallas area.
CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinal
Panama vs Qatar
Date, time:
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, USA
Head-to-Head
Panama and Qatar have only met once, two years ago, in the Gold Cup group stage. After the kick-off was delayed two hours due to thunderstorms, the teams played to an exciting 3-3 draw. Although, the Panama vs Qatar quarterfinal odds price Los Canaleros as favorites here.
Panama Unbeaten in Group Stage
- Last Match: 2-2 D vs. El Salvador
- Standings: 2-1-0, 1st Group C
In 2021, Panama failed to make the Gold Cup knockout stage for just the second time in their tournament history. It broke a streak of eight straight knockout stage appearances. This time around, Panama have performed a lot better and have been a good pick for soccer betting.
Los Canaleros went unbeaten in the knockout stage with a 2-1-0 record. They got a third straight win vs. Costa Rica in their opener as they won 2-1. Second match Panama vs Martinique, finished with the same scoreline. Jose Fajardo and Michael Murillo scored second-half goals, and Martinique could only muster a stoppage-time consolation goal.
Panama’s final group stage game vs. El Salvador nearly finished with the same scoreline. However, Panama conceded in the 91st minute as El Salvador salvaged a draw. Two wins and one draw was more than enough for Panama to finish in first place in Group C. Second-placed Costa Rica finished three points behind Los Canaleros.
Although they haven’t made it past the quarterfinal in any of the last three Gold Cups, this is a great opportunity for Panama. However, Coach Thomas Christensen may have to make do without key player Michael MurilloThomas Christensen may have to make do without key player Michael Murillo, though. He came off injured in the match vs. Martinique and didn’t play on Tuesday vs. El Salvador.
Qatar Pull off Upset and Advance
- Last Match: 1-0 W vs. Mexico
- Standings: 1-1-1, 2nd Group B
Qatar’s chances to make the Gold Cup knockout stage looked bleak following a loss to Haiti and draw vs. Honduras. In their opening match, Qatar scored within 20 minutes but blew a lead and lost 2-1 to Haiti. The Maroons also opened the scoring in their next match vs. Honduras, and nearly doubled their lead but hit the crossbar.
Again, Qatar gave up a goal late in stoppage time and could only come away from the match with a point. In third place in the Group B CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 standings heading into the final match, Qatar were two points behind Haiti and five behind Mexico. So, they needed a win vs. Mexico to keep their hopes of advancing. In their first-ever meeting with Mexico, Qatar displayed just +750 odds to go on and win the match.
Things went according to plan for Carlos Queiro’s Qatar in the first half vs. Mexico. Hazem Shehata scored the game’s opening goal on a header in the 27th minute and the Maroons looked motivated. Despite keeping just 23 percent possession and scoring with their only shot on target, Qatar held on for an improbable win.
They advanced as the second-placed team in Group B and are in a second straight Gold Cup quarterfinal. Heading into the knockout stage, Qatar are +2500 longshots to go on and win the tournament. They did make the semifinals in 2021, where they lost 1-0 to the USA.
Match Analysis and Odds
The Panama vs Qatar quarterfinal odds price Los Canaleros as -105 ATS and moneyline favorites for this one. When these teams met at the Gold Cup in 2021 it was a six-goal thriller. Still, only one of the goalscorers that day has played in this edition of the Gold Cup. Both teams have got on the scoresheet in all three of their previous matches at the tournament, though.
Still, under 2.5 goals display -160 odds for Saturday’s match. Meanwhile, Qatar +0.5 shows -125 odds, and they easily covered vs. Mexico in their final group stage game. The Maroons were 1.5-goal underdogs but came away with a win.
Punters can also find a draw at +235 odds here. A couple of players bettors should be aware of are Panama’s Jose Fajardo and Eric Davis. Davis managed two assists in two appearances in the group stage. Meanwhile, Fajardo scored vs. both Costa Rica and Martinique. The winner of this match will face the USA vs. Canada winner in the semifinal in San Diego.
Follow us on Twitter
