In Sunday soccer action, USA (6 wins, 2 losses, 4 draws) welcomes Panama (5-4-3) to Exploria Stadium in Orlando for the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (on FS1). Below, we preview the USA vs. Panama odds and lines, and make our best World Cup bets, picks and predictions.
The United States drew Mexico 0-0 Thursday despite several chances in the final third. Star F Christian Pulisic started the match and had the best opportunity of the game, failing to convert in front of goal.
The US ended with 9 shots, 4 on target, while Mexico has 11 shots and 2 on target. The US now welcome Panama. A win will seal the USMNT’s Qatar World Cup bid.
Panama beat USA 1-0 in Central America on October 21, 2021. Panama had 8 shots and 4 on target, holding the US to just 5 shots and none on target.
Panama sits fifth on the CONCACAF table with 18 points and desperately needs some points as Costa Rica is fourth with 19 points. Panama drew Honduras 1-1 Thursday.
USA vs. Panama: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:32 p.m. ET.
- Money line: USA -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Panama +670 (bet $100 to win $670) | Draw +350
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
[tipico]
Prediction
USA 1, Panama 0
Money line (ML)
PASS.
The United States (-230) is the better team, but the money line price is too expensive to bet USA outright. Typically, when I pass on a money line value, I like to look at whether or not both teams will score.
Considering the last game between these two teams had just 4 shots on target, I would bet against an abundance of opportunity. However, the BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE “NO” is priced at -165.
I’d rather play the straight-up Under as the best bet.
That said, D Sergiño Dest, M Gio Reyna and Pulisic all missed that October match. The latter two should see a hefty amount of minutes as the USMNT looks to lock up its spot in the World Cup.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET the UNDER 2.5 (-120).
The United States managed good attempts against Mexico but failed to convert any. In 12 World Cup qualifying matches, USA has scored 16 goals and given up just 7.
Panama has scored 15 and allowed 14 in its 12 matches. The US is 1-6 O/U in its last 7 international matches across all competitions. Panama is 1-4 O/U of 2.5 total in its last 5 matches.
Considering those records and how well the US has defended in the qualifying rounds, I’ll take the Under, especially as both teams are coming off a game Thursday and have another Wednesday.
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