FIFA Women’s World Cup: Brazil vs Panama Odds
First Major Tournament Appearance for Panama
Marta Back for Another World Cup
Brazil’s Marta is one of the most iconic players in women’s soccer history. The FIFA Women’s World Cup all-time leading goalscorer is back for a sixth World Cup. This will likely be her last as Brazil go for their first-ever title. In their opening match, they’ll play major tournament debutantes Panama. We’ll take a look at the Brazil vs. Panama odds for Monday’s Group F opener.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Brazil vs Panama
Date, time:
Location:Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh, Australia
Head-to-Head
This is the first opportunity to bet on Women’s 42. They’ve never before played in any competition but Panama have lost just two of their last eight matches vs. CONMEBOL competition.
Brazil Back for Ninth Straight World Cup
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 8
- Next Match: July 29th vs. France
Brazil had arguably their best-ever Copa America Femenina performance last year. The Canarinhas won all six of their matches and outscored their opponents 20-0. It’s the first time Brazil have ever kept clean sheets in all their matches at a tournament. Bettors should also note that Brazil have reached the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout stage in each of their last six appearances.
However, Brazil haven’t advanced past the round of 16 since 2011, when they lost in the quarterfinals. Brazil’s World Cup scores in 2019 were decent. They defeated Jamaica 3-0 as Cristiane scored a hat trick and Marta scored a penalty in a 1-0 win over Italy. Brazil also fell 3-2 to Australia but still advanced to the group stage as one of the highest-ranked third-placed teams. In the round of 16, Brazil fell 2-1 in extra time to a tough France side, who they’ll seek revenge on in their group stage meeting.
While Marta is back, Brazil’s leading scorer from 2019, Cristiane hasn’t played for the national team since 2019. Rafaelle Souza is on the roster, though, after missing the 2019 World Cup. The star defender just left Arsenal to play for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL, who midfielder Adriana also plays for. Along with Marta, Debinha is a goalscoring threat. With a talented roster, Brazil show +2500 odds to win the World Cup.
Panama Struggle in Warmup Matches
- FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 52
- Next Match: July 29th vs. Jamaica
Panama have improved dramatically over the last few years. In 2020 Olympic Qualifiers, Panama lost their three matches by a combined 20-1. Las Canaleras turned things around by keeping four clean sheets in four matches in CONCACAF Women’s Championship qualifiers. They won all four of those matches and, in turn, outscored their opponents 24-0 to qualify.
At the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, Panama went 1-2 and finished in third place in Group B. That earned them a spot in the inter-confederation World Cup playoff. Back in February, they defeated Papua New Guinea 2-0 in the playoff semifinal as Marta Cox and Riley Tanner got on the scoresheet. They then pulled off an upset over Paraguay in the final to advance to their first-ever World Cup.
Panama have Brazil, Jamaica and France on their Women’s World Cup schedule with Jamaica as their most winnable match. In pre-tournament friendlies, Panama have struggled severely, though. Ignacio Quintana named relatively strong sides to Panama’s matches vs. Spain and Japan. However, Las Canaleras fell 7-0 and 5-0, respectively to two of the better teams in the Women’s World Cup field. For what it’s worth, Brazil is on the same level as those teams.
Match Analysis & Odds
The oddsmakers have certainly taken note of Panama’s recent form. Brazil enter this match as 4.5 goal favorites as Panama attempt to avoid an embarrassing defeat in their first Women’s World Cup match. Goal difference may become a concern for Brazil, given tiebreaker rules, so don’t expect the Canarinhas to let their foot off the gas if things get ugly.
Currently, the Brazil vs. Panama odds give Las Canaleras a better implied chance to cover the spread. Brazil -4.5 displays +105 odds and Panama +4.5 comes in at -135. Bettors may not be able to get great value out of Brazil’s moneyline, as they’re -5000 favorites to win the match.
If Panama do pull off an upset here, it’s likely that Marta Cox, Lineth Cedeno and/or Riley Tanner will be at the center of it. Tanner, who was born in the USA, recently made her debut for the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. Cox and Cedeno are both young but have already scored important goals for Panama.
Punters can take Panama at +5000 odds here, while a draw displays +1800 odds. Under five goals are also priced at -135 odds as Panama will try to stop a Brazilian onslaught. Panama’s defense certainly isn’t proven at the highest level. Although, they did concede just four goals in three matches at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
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