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After losing their respective opening games, Panama and Croatia will look to keep their knockout hopes alive when they lock horns at BMO Field on Wednesday.
Los Canaleros have lost every game they have played in this competition and will look to earn their first-ever point at the World Cup.
Croatia, on the other hand, are on a quest to reach the semi-finals for the third consecutive time.
Read our Panama vs Croatia prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best football World Cup betting offers.
Panama vs Croatia key stats
- Five of Panama's last six matches produced goals at both ends.
- Both teams were on the scoresheet in six of Croatia's last seven games.
- Croatia were semi-finalists in their last two World Cup appearances.
Panama vs Croatia preview: First-ever encounter
| Panama | vs | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
| 34th | FIFA Ranking | 11th |
| Anibal Godoy (160) | Most Caps | Luka Modric (199) |
| Ismael Diaz (17) | Most Goals | Ivan Perisic (38) |
| 1556 | Total Caps | 1165 |
| 126 | Total Goals | 155 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Panama came really close to earning their first World Cup point on Thursday but were undone by Caleb Yirenki’s 95th-minute winner in their opening game against Ghana.
Including their only other campaign in 2018, the CONCACAF side have suffered four defeats in as many games in this competition.
Thomas Christiansen's troops will need to win at least one of their remaining two games, but it's easier said than done, considering their next two opponents are Croatia and England.
Adalberto Carrasquilla could not feature against Ghana due to muscular problems. With his recovery still monitored by the medical staff, it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old midfielder would fully recover just in time for this clash.
On the other hand, Croatia suffered a 4-2 defeat against England in their opening game. Unlike their opponents, Vatreni have a rich history in this competition, having won silver and bronze in the previous two editions.
Interestingly, although Croatia reached at least the semi-finals in their last two outings, they have never gotten past the group stage after losing their first group game. This happened in three of their six previous World Cup appearances. The Vatreni have only ever reached the knockout stages after earning at least one point from the opening game.
However, it is also worth mentioning that Croatia have almost always won their second group game, having done so in five of their six previous World Cup outings.
On the injury front, coach Zlatko Dalic has no fitness concerns or suspension worries to deal with going into the game.
These teams will square off against each other for the first time on Wednesday.
Panama vs Croatia form guide & betting tips
| Panama | vs | Croatia |
|---|---|---|
W
L
W
D
L
|
Form |
W
L
L
W
L
|
| 11 | Goals For | 7 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 11 |
L
|
World Cup Form |
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Panama 1-3 Croatia
At 3/5 (1.60), Croatia are considered favourites by the bookmakers.
Given Panama's previous results in this competition, coupled with Croatia's tendency to win their second group game, we are confident that the 2022 World Cup bronze medallists will claim all the spoils here.
Moreover, both teams have no clean sheets in their last seven respective games across all competitions, so we should expect goals at both ends.
On that note, we fancy Croatia & BTTS – Yes, which can be backed at 13/5 (3.60).
> Over 2.5 total goals at 93/100 (1.93) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Croatia at 3/5 (1.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Croatia & BTTS – Yes at 13/5 (3.60) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-3 at 12/1 (13.00) | Likelihood: Outsider