Prediction: Colombia vs Panama

Verdict: Colombia win 

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to book their Copa America semi-final ticket late on Saturday night, Colombia will meet Panama at the State Farm Stadium.

Colombia

Starting with Colombia, only continuing on what has been an astonishing purple patch, Nestor Lorenzo’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the globe. Getting their Copa America adventure underway on June 24th as the secured a 2-1 victory against Paraguay, La Tricolor find the mood in their camp at a famous high. Securing top spot in Group D with a 1-1 stalemate against South American giants Brazil as they collected seven points from their three appearances, the former Argentina coach finds his squad pencilled in as the standout title dark horse this summer. Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with a routine 3-0 romp against Bolivia, Colombia have remarkably not suffered a single defeat from any of their previous 26 consecutive appearances across all competitions. With that iconic flurry stemming all the way back to February 2022, Lorenzo’s high-flying squad should be smelling a real opportunity late on Saturday night.

Team News

In what looks set to be a huge blow for Colombia this weekend, Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma will miss out on Saturday night as the former Bournemouth star serves a one-match suspension. Likewise, dealing with a recent knock and missing out against Brazil earlier in the week, Bologna’s John Lucumi remains a real doubt here.

While ex-Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez might have failed to open his Copa America squad this summer, the 32-year-old will earn a history-making 104th international cap. Continuing to shine since opening this summer’s tournament Liverpool ace Luis Diaz will play a leading role for Colombia.

Panama

As for Panama, while Los Canaleros might have opened up this summer’s Copa America pencilled in as a real outside contender to find a route out of Group C, Thomas Christiansen’s men have continued to break a string of records. Storming their way to a maiden quarter-final ticket, the Reds also collected a major scale on June 27th as they secured a famous 2-1 victory against the USA. Collecting six points from their three Group C appearances and signing off proceedings with a 3-1 win against Bolivia earlier in the week, the one-time Leeds boss will be relishing a heavyweight challenge on Saturday night. However, hit with a 3-0 drumming when they last met Colombia back in June 2019, Panama certainly couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge at the State Farm Stadium.

Team News

Shown a straight red card against the USA on June 27th, Houston Dynamo midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla remains on the sidelines through suspension. Once again finding the net against Bolivia earlier in the week and now recording back-to-back Copa America strikes, former DC United marksmen Jose Fajardo Nelson will spearhead Panama’s charge on Saturday night.

Also plying his trade in the MLS, Minnesota’s Carlos Harvey will start at the heart of Panama’s midfielder here and partner Jovani Welch. Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba will start at the back and earn a 17th international cap at the State Farm Stadium.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Colombia and Panama last met back in June 2019, La Tricolor picked up a thumping 3-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Colombia have won both of their previous two meetings against Saturday’s opponents by an aggregate score of 7-0.
• Colombia have remarkably not suffered a single defeat from any of their previous 26 appearances across all competitions.
• Panama have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Former DC United striker Jose Fajardo Nelson has bagged back-to-back Copa American strikes.

Conclusion

While Panama might have made real history this summer as they booked a maiden Copa America knockout stage ticket, they face what is a monumental showdown here. With Colombia pencilled in as a genuine title dark horse, La Tricolor are in the midst of what has become an iconic purple patch. In fact, Lorenzo’s side have remarkably not suffered a single defeat from any of their previous 26 consecutive appearances across all competitions. Landing a 3-0 romp when they last met Panama back in June 2019, we are backing Colombia to punch their semi-final spot this weekend.

Verdict: Colombia win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster