Panama vs Northern Ireland
International Friendlies
Date: Wednesday, 30th May 2018
Kick-Off at 2:00 UK / 3:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez, Ciudad de Panama.
Panama will try and boost the momentum ahead of the World Cup on Tuesday evening when they host Northern Ireland at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez. The hosts will be highly motivated to get the win after a true catastrophe in the previous friendly when they were hammered 6-0 by Switzerland in late-March. The devastating defeat only extended team’s crisis as Los Canaleros made it three losses and a draw n four friendlies against Iran, Wales, Denmark and Switzerland.
The clash with the Green and White Army should really give hosts the opportunity to clinch a much-needed confidence-boosting win given that the visitors will travel to the American soil crippled with injured/sidelined players. The head coach Michael O’Neill can’t count on important midfielders George Saville (leg injury), Steven Davis and Oliver Norwood. Northern Ireland will thus have five uncapped players on the American tour.
Panama vs Northern Ireland: Head-to-head
The two sides did not have the chance to take on each other previously.
Panama vs Northern Ireland: Prediction
Interestingly, Panama are set as 2.15 favourites to get the victory here. It’s really hard to justify the value of such odds knowing that the hosts have been struggling badly to get results against European opponents lately which is why we will try with Northern Ireland not to lose as the main betting option at the 1.61 odds.
Michael O’Neill may be without some first team regulars here, but those who get to earn their minutes on the court will certainly be highly motivated to prove they deserve the national team call-ups ahead of the UEFA Nations League.
In all, it should really not be a match packed with goals given that both sides lack the quality moving forward. The affair has a psychological importance for both managers who are expected to use a rather defensive-minded approach here. Our alternative option will be Under 2.5 goals FT at the odds of 1.55.
Panama vs Northern Ireland: Bet Tips
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Northern Ireland or Draw Double Chance @ 1.61
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Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.55.
