England take on Panama on Sunday, with the team knowing that a win would secure their place in the knockout stages in Russia. Gareth Southgate’s team won their opening game against Tunisia on Monday night, although it was a tense finish as Harry Kane found the back of the net for the second time in injury time at the end of the game.
Victory over Panama would put Southgate’s men in an excellent position to top the group, with Belgium to come in their final game. England created numerous chances throughout the match against Tunisia, but failed to capitalise. On top of that, Kyle Walker got caught out shortly before half time and conceded a penalty, which Tunisia scored in their only shot on target throughout the whole match.
As for Panama, they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Belgium in their opening game in what was their first-ever tournament match. They showed in that performance that they’re very limited in what they’re able to do and they shouldn’t cause England many problems.
England vs. Panama Predictions
Based on their first games in the tournament, England should blow Panama away. Their pace will really worry the opposition and Harry Kane looks to have found some form in the tournament. It will also allow Southgate to play some of those who might not be guaranteed starters.
England vs. Panama Betting Tips
- England to score over 3.5 goals: 7/2
- England to score in both halves: 21/20
- Harry Kane to score three goals or more: 13/2
- A penalty to be awarded: 2/1
Head to Head
- This will be the first ever meeting between England and Panama.
- England are unbeaten in their last four W. Cup games against CONCACAF nations (W2 D2), drawing the last two against USA in 2010 and Costa Rica in 2014. Their only defeat came in 1950 against USA.
- Panama will be the 38th different nation England have faced at a W. Cup. Of the previous 37, they’ve only lost their first meeting against five, USA and Spain in 1950, Uruguay in 1954, Hungary in 1962 and Italy in 1990.
- CONCACAF nations have only won one of their last 10 W. Cup meetings against European sides (W1 D3 L6), with Mexico beating Germany in the opening round of matches in this tournament.
- In their opening match against Belgium, Panama suffered the biggest defeat in a W. Cup debut match (0-3) since Ukraine vs. Spain in 2006 (0-4).
- England haven’t won consecutive games at the W. Cup since their opening two games of the 2006 tournament.
- Only twice before have England won both of their opening two games to a W. Cup campaign (1982 and 2006).
- Striker Harry Kane has scored in each of his last four appearances for England, his best ever run for the Three Lions.
- In their opening match against Tunisia, Harry Kane became the first England player to score a brace in a W. Cup match since Gary Lineker against Cameroon in 1990.
- Harry Kane has scored both of England’s goals so far at W. Cup 2018. The last England player to score more goals in the group stages of a W. Cup tournament was Gary Lineker in 1986 (3).
England Squad
Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
Panama Squad
Jose Calderon (Chorillo FC), Jaime Penedo (Dinamo Bucharest), Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco FC), Felipe Baloy (CSD Municipal), Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes), Erick Davis (DAC Dunajska Streda), Fidel Escobar (New York Red Bulls), Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls), Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo), Luis Ovalle (CD Olimpia), Roman Torres (Seattle Sounders), Jose Luis Rodriguez (KAA Gent), Edgar Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula), Armando Cooper (Club Universidad de Chile), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Gabriel Gomez (Bucaramanga), Valentin Pimentel (Plaza Amador), Alberto Quintero (Universitario de Lima), Abdiel Arroyo (LD Alajuelense), Ismael Diaz (Deportivo La Coruna), Blas Perez (CSD Municipal), Luis Tejada (Sports Boys), Gabriel Torres (CD Huachipato)