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Kick-off: July 19 @ 4.30 pm EST
Venue: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Past meetings
Trinidad v Panama 0-1 (International friendly)
Panama v Trinidad 3-0 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Panama 1-0 (International friendly)
Panama v Trinidad 2-1 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Panama 2-1 (International friendly)
Trinidad & Tobago
Last 5 matches:
Jordan v Trinidad 3-0 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Haiti 1-0 (International friendly)
Trinidad v Guatemala 3-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Trinidad v Cuba 2-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Mexico v Trinidad 4-4 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
Trinidad and Tobago made it to the Gold Cup quarter-finals for the second time in a row, this time by topping the group and playing some amazing football in the entertaining 4-4 draw with Mexico in the final group match.
Buoyed by that performances, the Soca Warriors take on Panama at MetLife Stadium, and there have been some good news for coach Stephen Hart. Important midfielder Andre Boucaud (27/2) returns to the side after missing the Mexico game through suspension.
There are no fresh selection worries for Trinis, but first choice goalkeeper Jan-Michel Williams (68/0) remains sidelined through a hamstring strain. All yellow cards have been deleted after the group stage, meaning no players will be suspended for the semi-final if they are cautioned against Panama.
Players to watch: Kenwyne Jones, Joevin Jones.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Phillip – Cyrus, Abu Bakr, Bateau, M. Williams – Boucaud, George – Peltier, Cummings, J. Jones – K. Jones.
Panama
Last 5 matches:
Panama v Ecuador 1-1 (International friendly)
Ecuador v Panama 4-0 (International friendly)
Panama v Haiti 1-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Honduras v Panama 1-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Panama v USA 1-1 (2015 Gold Cup)
Team News:
Panama showed some promise to share spoils with United States and secure their place in the next stage, but it is perfectly clear team’s performances are way worse than two years ago when they reached the Gold Cup final.
Coach Hernan Gomez will have important defenders Adolfo Machado (22/1) and Luis Henriquez (77/3) back to the side after suspension, but midfielder Anibal Godoy (52/1) is now banned for the Trinidad and Tobago game.
Los Canaleros will be heavily relying on Blas “Super Raton” Peres and Luis “El Matador” Tejada after the pair combined for the all-important goal against United States.
The national team were also visited by famous baseball player Mariano Rivera, who offered the Panama footballers words of encouragement ahead of the Gold Cup quarter-final.
Players to watch: Blas Perez, Luis Tejada.
Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Penedo – L. Henriquez, Cummings, R. Torres, Machado – Pimentel, Cooper, Gomez, Quintero – Perez, Tejada.
Trinidad & Tobago v Panama betting odds & tips
*Seeing as Trinidad appear to be in excellent form and Panama continue to struggle, bear in mind that home win pays 3.30 (23/10).
*Alternatively, you can simply back the Soca Warriors to qualify for the semi-final at odds of 2.10 (11/10).
*There have usually been quite a few goals scored when the two sides would face each other in the past and given their latest performances, have in mind that over 2.5 goals pays 2.89 (19/10).
