Written by :
Published on :
Carrie Stroup here with your Gold Cup betting odds for Panama vs. Mexico.
Semifinals
Kick-off: Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Panama +450, Mexico -153, Tie +270, Total: 2.5
Mexico and Panama meet in the second semifinal matchup of the Gold Cup.
Although Mexico has struggled since defeating Cuba 6-0 in its opening match of the Gold Cup, the country has managed to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. The Mexicans finished the group stage with a 0-0 tie against Guatemala and a shocking 4-4 result against Trinidad and Tobago, who used a last-gasp goal to claim a point and the top position in Group C over Mexico. Mexico again could not find a way to claim a victory in regulation time in its quarterfinal matchup against Costa Rica, but it narrowly avoided going into a penalty shootout thanks to a very questionable penalty called in its favor in the dying moments of the second half of extra time. Needless to say, Mexico will need to improve on its play if it plans on advancing.
Panama has not looked much better than Mexico, and has actually yet to win a game outright in this tournament, with three draws in the group stage and a penalty shootout victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the quarterfinals. Despite this, the Panamanians controlled the game against Trinidad and Tobago, especially in the later stages, and were unlucky not to find the back of the net in the second half or extra time. Luis Tejada scored his second goal of the tournament, and the diminutive Alberto Quintero looked menacing throughout the match, but overall, Panama must be more clinical up front. If this match does stay close, Panama will feel confident with Jaime Penedo in net, as the veteran goalkeeper played hero in the quarterfinal shootout victory with two saves.
Both of these teams have looked shaky up front, and a low scoring affair with under 2.5 goals scored should be expected. And while Mexico is the favorite in this matchup, Panama could get the win. Penedo will need to play well again, so if Panama is indeed victorious, the game could end 1-0.
