Uruguay are one of the favourites to go all the way in the USA and lift the Copa America trophy for the 16th time in their illustrious history.
Marcelo Bielsa's men kick off the 2024 Copa America against the weakest side in the competition, Panama, so Luis Suárez and co will be expected to win comfortably on Monday.
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Uruguay vs Panama prediction: Easy win for the 15-time champions
Key Stats
- Uruguay have won and kept a clean sheet in each of their three previous encounters with Panama.
- Marcelo Bielsa's team have kept clean sheets in four of their last six international matches.
- Panama haven't conceded more than three goals in any of their last six outings.
- Darwin Núñez has 11 goals in 23 appearances for Uruguay and scored a hat-trick in his last game against Mexico.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Uruguay the overwhelming favourite
- HOME: 1/3 (1.33) – 75%
- DRAW: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
- AWAY: 10/1 (11.00) – 9.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Uruguay are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 75%, and it's hard to see this game ending in anything but a Uruguay victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Last five H2Hs: Uruguay dominate
These two countries have met three times before and on each of those occasions, Uruguay were victorious. The pair last locked horns in a 2022 friendly which produced a 5-0 win for La Celeste.
International Match 11/06/22
Uruguay
Panama
International Match 08/06/19
Uruguay
Panama
International Match 05/09/15
Panama
Uruguay
Uruguay preview: A well-balanced squad that should go far
Uruguay's final warm-up game ahead of the 2024 Copa America will have given them great belief as to just how far they can go in the United States. Darwin Nunez scored a hat-trick as Marcelo Bielsa's side smashed Mexico 4-0 without Luis Suarez even in the squad.
Atletico Madrid's José Giménez is the rock at the back, while Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde provide quality on the ball in the heart of the midfield, and veteran Luis Suárez and Liverpool's Darwin Núñez provide the goal threat in what is a very well-balanced squad.
Cadiz striker Maxi Gómez missed out on a call-up while Lazio's Matías Vecino has now retired from international football.
Predicted lineup: Rochet (GK), Olaza, Giménez, Olivera, Nández, Bentancur, Ugarte, Rodríguez, Araújo, Pellistri & Núñez
South America - World Cup Qualifying 25/03/25
D
Bolivia
0
Uruguay
0
South America - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
L
Argentina
1
Uruguay
0
South America - World Cup Qualifying 20/11/24
D
Brazil
1
Uruguay
1
South America - World Cup Qualifying 16/11/24
W
Colombia
2
Uruguay
3
South America - World Cup Qualifying 15/10/24
D
Ecuador
0
Uruguay
0
Panama preview: Still contains heroes from the 2018 World Cup side
Panama created history when they qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Spanish coach Thomas Christiansen has selected some of the players that were a part of that incredible experience for the upcoming Copa America.
Captain Aníbal Godoy is the most recognisable name from the 2018 World Cup side, while defender Michael Amir Murillo plies his trade with Ligue 1 side Marseille and fans of Norwich City will be excited to see how José Córdoba performs.
There are no home-based players in the team which isn't much of a surprise but there are some players that play for teams in the United States which could come in handy, and goalkeeper Luis Mejía plays for Uruguay's Nacional and might have some helpful insider knowledge on Monday's opponents.
Predicted lineup: Mosquera (GK), Davis, Miller, Murillo, Córdoba, Godoy, Martínez, Harvey, Bárcenas, Díaz & Fajardo
CONCACAF Nations League 24/03/25
L
Mexico
2
Panama
1
CONCACAF Nations League 20/03/25
W
USA
0
Panama
1
International Match 08/02/25
L
Chile
6
Panama
1
Club Friendly List 25/01/25
L
Universitario de Deportes
2
Panama
1
CONCACAF Nations League 19/11/24
D
Costa Rica
2
Panama
2
Player to watch – Luis Suárez
Luis Suarez might be 37-years-old but that hasn't stopped him from scoring goals wherever has has played since leaving Atletico Madrid in 2022.
The Liverpool legend scored eight times in 16 appearances for Nacional in his homeland before signing for Brazilian side Gremio where he notched 29 goals in 54 matches. Suarez joined up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami this year and has netted 14 goals in 20 games so far.
Still producing the goods at 37
While he might not dominate defences as he once used to, Suarez still carries a threat in the final third and that is why he is our player to watch against Panama on Monday.