CONCACAF Nations League Semifinals: Panama vs Canada Odds
First Nations League Semis Appearance for Both Teams
Canada Favored to Advance to Sunday’s Final
Panama clash with Canada in Las Vegas on Thursday to determine who advances to the CONCACAF Nations League final. Both teams are making their first appearances in the Nations League semis after winning their groups. Panama advanced out of a group that included Costa Rica and shouldn’t be taken lightly here. Meanwhile, Canada have been on an upward trajectory for a few years now and are looking for their first major trophy since 2000. In what looks to be an intriguing matchup, we’ll take a look at the Panama vs Canada odds.
CONCACAF Nations League Semifinals
Panama vs Canada
Date, time:
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Head-to-Head
Canada had already sealed the 2022 World Cup qualification when they met Panama in a March 2022 World Cup qualifier. Panama came away with a 1-0 win last year, but Canada won the reverse fixture 4-1. Two of the previous four meetings between these teams have finished in scoreless draws. The CONCACAF Nations League semifinal odds list the over/under goal total for this match as 2.5 goals, though.
Panama Dominate Group B
- Standings: 3-1-0, 1st Group B
- Key Absences: M Jose Luis Rodriguez
Panama passed the CONCACAF Nations League group stage with flying colors. They didn’t concede a single goal in four matches and impressively pulled off a sweep over neighbors Costa Rica. The only blip on Panama’s record was a scoreless draw at Martinique last June. Edgar Barcenas scored two goals in the group stage to lead the Canaleros. They finished first in the Group B CONCACAF Nations League standings.
Panama missed out on the World Cup in 2022 but have proven to be a CONCACAF contender over the last few years. The problem for them has been consistency, with multi-goal losses interspersed with impressive wins. They lost 5-0 to Uruguay and 5-1 to the USA in 2022 and have won just one of their last nine road matches. While not technically a road match, they’ll be traveling to Las Vegas for this one.
Panama scheduled a friendly vs. Nicaragua last Saturday to warm up for this match. They came back to pull off a 3-2 win as substitute Michael Murillo scored twice. Roderick Miller added the winner in the 84th minute. Although Panama didn’t concede once in the Nations League group stage, they’ve allowed a goal in three of their last four games.
Canada Stacked Up Front
- Standings: 3-1, 1st Group C
- Key Absences: D Derek Cornelius
Given Canada’s attacking prowess, it should come as no surprise that the Panama vs. Canada odds price Les Rogues as favorites here. Only the USA scored more goals than Canada in the group stage. Cyle Larin and Jonathan David scored three goals in the group stage to lead Canada. Versatile Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies also scored twice. The trio are all available for selection on Thursday night, and expect Panama’s gameplan to be focused on them.
In Canada’s only two 2023 matches, they’ve won both and outscored their opponents 6-1. Larin scored twice as Canada downed Honduras 4-1 in late March. David and Larin got on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Curacao a few days earlier. Les Rogues went 3-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League group stage. Their only loss came in Honduras last June.
Canada lost all of their matches at Qatar 2022, their first appearance at the World Cup since 1986. Still, they flashed their potential and certainly looked dangerous at times. Aside from the forwards and Davies, some key players are midfielders Stephen Eustaquio and Jonathan Osorio and goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
Match Analysis and Odds
The last CONCACAF team to shut out Canada was Panama. In March 2022, Panama got a 1-0 win in a World Cup qualifier. That could still be fresh in Canada coach John Herdman’s mind as Les Rogues go for their first trophy in 23 years. Meanwhile, Panama have never won a major trophy and are just two wins away from glory.
The Panama vs. Canada odds price Canada as one-goal favorites for this one. They come in at +125 odds to cover the spread and -160 moneyline odds. Panama +1 shows -155 odds as Los Canaleros attempt to make their first final since the 2013 Gold Cup. Michael Murillo, who scored twice for Panama last Saturday, is a key player and should be expected to start in this one. His Panama are +400 moneyline underdogs for this match.
A draw also displays +265 odds here. Whoever advances from this CONCACAF Nations League semifinal will take on the winner of USA vs. Mexico on Sunday. It is quite likely that both Canada and Panama would be underdogs vs. the USA or Mexico.
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