Uruguay vs Panama Preview | Copa America 2024 Picks & Best Bets
Via Youssef Loulidi/Getty Images. Pictured: Darwin Nunez of Uruguay during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.
Uruguay vs Panama Odds
| Uruguay Odds | -350 |
| Panama Odds | +950 |
| Draw | +450 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-120o/-105u) |
| Day | Time | Sunday | 9 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | FOX |
| Odds as of Sunday afternoon via DraftKings | |
Uruguay begins its quest for a record-breaking 16th Copa America title on Sunday night when they open Group C play against a Panama side making only its second appearance in the tournament.
La Celeste captured its last title in 2011, edging back in front of Argentina for the most crowns until Lionel Messi lifted his first Copa America in 2021 to even the count again. Luis Suarez was involved back then, and he's still in the fold now in what is the final tournament for Uruguay's all-time leading international goal scorer.
Panama's only other appearance came when the United States previously held the event in 2016. Their 2-1 win over Bolivia in their previous group opener remains one of the CONCACAF upstart's most famous days in its footballing history.
This is only these teams' second-ever meeting in a competitive fixture. Uruguay won 6-1 in their previous one in 1952, in the first edition of the long-defunct Panamerican Championship.
Find my Uruguay vs Panama picks and betting preview below.
Uruguay
Uruguay raised eyebrows with their 4-0 thumping of Mexico in a friendly earlier this month, but that shouldn't have been surprising given their start to World Cup qualifying.
Since the appointment of Argentine managerial legend Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay has momentarily supplanted Brazil as Argentina's top challenger to finish atop the 10-team table.
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez has scored five goals in six qualifying matches, and last fall La Celeste even earned consecutive victories at home over Brazil and away over Argentina.
Suarez has not been a major part of this qualifying effort, while playing only 18 minutes. The 37-year-old has been open about the injury issues that have plagued his late career, even while continuing to produce in his foray first in Brazil's Serie A and then MLS as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami teammate.
His potential value in a short tournament remains obvious, especially in knockout games that could include extra time and penalties.
Panama
Panama is arguably CONCACAF's most underrated footballing nation, in part because they don't have the lengthy history of other Central American sides like fellow Copa American entrants Costa Rica.
Los Canaleros have reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup five times since 2005 and the final on three occasions, which is more than any team outside of the United States or Mexico. They're the most recent nation in the federation to qualify for their first World Cup, having done so in 2018 partly at the United States' expense.
It's clear manager Thomas Christiansen has pushed those in his squad to pursue club opportunities basically anywhere abroad. His 26-man squad for the tournament features players based on four continents.
The key duo to their success will be very familiar for MLS fans. Houston attacking midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla pulls the strings in attacking midfield while Nashville holding midfielder Anibal Godoy is the side's captain and covers the defensive ground behind Carrasquilla.
Uruguay vs Panama
Prediction
It's clear Bielsa has unlocked a different version of Nunez in his national team shirt than what existed in previous systems.
In a game against Panama where Uruguay will be expected to have a significant majority of possession, the recent track record shows Nunez will have plenty of chances — he had six shots (three on target) in a win over Chile and four (two on target) in a win over Bolivia.
He has also scored in four straight competitive fixtures, most of those coming against a higher caliber of opponent than a cohesive but workmanlike Panama side.
Consequently, I like the anytime goal-scorer play here for Nunez, especially if it's above even money and even if it's a little bit below it. If it moves too far between now and when you're betting, maybe consider the Over 1.5 Shots on Goal prop bet instead at -115 at FanDuel.
The other option might be a small play on Suarez to score last, since he's most likely to feature off the bench later on.
Pick: Darwin Nunez Anytime Goal Scorer +105 (FanDuel)
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