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Panama entertain Costa Rica at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in a CONCACAF qualifying fixture for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.
Both teams took part in the recently concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup. The hosts were eliminated in the group stage while the visitors made it to the quarter-finals but suffered a 2-0 defeat to Canada.
Panama achieved their maiden appearance in the 2018 finals and will be hoping to qualify for the showpiece event once again. However, if Costa Rica secure their spot, it will be their third consecutive appearance in the World Cup finals.
Panama vs Costa Rica Head-to-Head
The two Central American rivals have squared off 30 times across all competitions. Though Costa Rica have been the dominant side in this fixture, Los Canaleros have performed better in their recent encounters.
A total of 16 games have ended in wins for the visitors while Panama have nine victories to their name. The spoils have been shared just five times between the two rivals, with just one of their last nine games ending in a draw.
Panama form guide (all competitions): W-L-D-L-D
Costa Rica form guide (all competitions): D-L-W-W-W
Panama vs Costa Rica Team News
Panama
Panama have announced a 28-man squad for their upcoming qualifying games. As per the team's latest press release, 26 players trained well ahead of the game, and only Andrés Andrade and Cecilio Waterman are yet to join up with the team.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Costa Rica
Los Ticos have called up 28 players for the game, including PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was ruled out of the Gold Cup on account of injury. There are no suspension concerns for coach Luis Fernando Suárez.
However, Bryan Ruiz has a minor muscle strain and is a doubt for this game.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Bryan Ruiz
Suspended: None
Panama vs Costa Rica Predicted XI
Panama Predicted XI (4-3-3): Jose Calderon; Fidel Escobar, Michael Murillo, Oscar Linton, Andres Andrade; Alberto Quintero, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Jose Luis Rodriguez; Aníbal Godoy, Jose Fajardo, Cecilio Waterman
Costa Rica Predicted XI (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Francisco Calvo, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Oscar Duarte, Keysher Fuller; Randall Leal, David Guzman, Celso Borges; Manfred Ugalde, Joel Campbell, Ariel Lassiter
Panama vs Costa Rica Prediction
Panama were prolific in the Gold Cup and in just three group stage fixtures scored eight goals. Meanwhile, Costa Rica managed to find the back of the net six times.
Keylor Navas' return between the sticks should prove to be a big boost for the visiting side and we expect Costa Rica to record a narrow win.
Prediction: Panama 0-1 Costa Rica
