- Team form: Panama's overall record is 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats from their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Home form: Ecuador are unbeaten in two home games this year (W2, D0).
- Away defence: Panama have conceded nine goals in their last four away games across all competitions.
Expect another gritty, close match for Panama
Panama were once again exposed in transition by a quality side when they went down 2-0 to an England team with a couple of youngsters in the side. Panama have a tough run of fixtures coming up and we don't see much hope for Thomas Christiansen's side in a match where Ecuador are already 1.61 favorites with Panama out at 4.09 and the draw 4.08.
Panama have been on a wobbly run of 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats in their last five matches, going from a 2-0 loss to England, to a 1-1 draw with India and then falling to New Zealand in a penalty shootout after another 1-1 draw in their final fixture.
Ecuador have to have more
Panama's form and defensive issues
Panama's coach Thomas Christiansen has done a good job since 12 July 2020, but his team have been conceding goals with concerning regularity lately and we think this Ecuador squad is too strong for them on Monday.
Tactical match-up
Los Canaleros' best chance in this matchup is to stay compact, absorb pressure and nick moments on the break or off of set pieces, but Ecuador's pressing game, high line and high-tempo game should see them dominate large parts of the match.
Ecuador's squad
- La Tri have an interesting blend of young talent and experience to call upon for this matchup, with Plata and Minda giving them plenty of width in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2, while Estupiñán should be the key to the balance of the team.
- Caicedo is the pivot in the midfield pivot, providing the verticality and power to drive the transitions, while Godot and Murillo are key to the spine and the wing-back balance of Panama.
The verdict
Ecuador have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five matches so they are in a bit of a slump, but the quality in this squad should be too much for Panama on Monday.
However, the visitors are a tough to beat side when they stay compact and that could make this a low-scoring game rather than a shootout, so we are going to play it safe on the goals markets here. Under 2.5 goals is 2.37 and Both Teams to Score – No is 2.3.
