Home / Match Previews / 2015 Gold Cup semifinal: Panama v Mexico preview

2015 Gold Cup semifinal: Panama v Mexico preview

Kick-off: July 22 @ 9.00 pm EST

Venue: Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)

Past meetings

Mexico v Panama 1-0 (International friendly)
Mexico v Panama 2-1 (2014 World Cup qualifier)
Panama v Mexico 2-1 (2013 Gold Cup)
Mexico v Panama 1-2 (2013 Gold Cup)
Panama v Mexico 0-0 (2014 World Cup qualifier)

Panama

Last 5 matches:

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)
Trinidad v Panama 1-1p (2015 Gold Cup)

Team News:

Panama produced a major coup by defeating Trinidad & Tobago on penalties to reach the 2015 CONCACAF semi-final after the match ended with a 1-1 draw as Kenwyne Jones cancelled out Luis Tejada’s opener.

Los Canaleros now battle Mexico for a place in the final and there have been some mixed news for coach Hernan Dario Gomez with regards to the players he can count on for the high-profile clash.

The boss will have important midfielder Anibal Godoy (52/1) back to the side from suspension, but Gabriel Gomez (114/10), the most capped player in the history of the national team, has been ruled out through a fractured rib.

Players to watch: Blas Perez, Luis Tejada.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Penedo – Cooper, Cummings, R. Torres, Davis – Pimentel, Godoy, Camargo, Quintero – Perez, Tejada.

Mexico

Last 5 matches:

Mexico v Honduras 0-0 (international friendly)
Mexico v Cuba 6-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Guatemala v Mexico 0-0 (2015 Gold Cup)
Mexico v Trinidad 4-4 (2015 Gold Cup)
Mexico v Costa Rica 1-0e (2015 Gold Cup)

Team News:

Mexico were pretty fortunate to defeat Costa Rica in the quarter-final having been awarded a non-existent penalty in the dying moments of the second extra time period, and they definitely need to show improvement if they want to get revenge on Panama for two defeats at the 2013 Gold Cup.

Doubts still remain over the fitness of star forward Giovani dos Santos (90/17), who is still battling an adductor injury. The LA Galaxy attacker did not feel ready to start against Costa Rica, but he may be in the line-up when El Tri face Panama.

Meanwhile, the tournament is over for centre-back Yasser Corona (2/0), who ruptured his meniscus in the Costa Rica clash, with Oswaldo Alanis (7/1) expected to replace him in the starting line-up. Following the poor run of form, Hector Herrera (30/0) could be left on the bench, with Carlos Esquivel (15/0) taking over his place.

Players to watch: Carlos Vela, Andres Guardado.

Probable starting line-up (5-3-2): Ochoa – Aguilar, Reyes, Rodriguez, Alanis, Layun – Esquivel, J. dos Santos, Guardado – Peralta, Vela.

Panama v Mexico betting odds & tips

*Considering that both sides have experienced major problems up front, it is important to note that under 2.5 goals pays 1.59 (3/5).

*With seven of eight teams’ games at the 2015 Gold Cup ending all squared, bear in mind that draw is available at 3.72 (68/25).

*Seeing as Mexico are eager to get revenge on Panama and have a lot more potential than they are showing, El Tri can be backed at 1.70 (7/10) to win.

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