Copa America 2024: Colombia vs. Panama – Odds, Prediction & Best Bets

The quarter-finals of this 2024 Copa America roll on on Saturday as Group D winner Colombia and Group C runner-up Panama face off. The contest will be going down on Saturday, July 6 at State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Arizona at 6:00PM E.T.

Colombia were near-flawless in taking seven points in group play and winning Group D over the favorites, Brazil. Panama represents one of just two CONCACAF nations to make the quarter-finals after beating both Bolivia and USA in group play to take second place in Group C.

Odds provided by Sports Interaction

Colombia

Colombia seems destined for a deep run at this tournament, having dominated Costa Rica 3-0, slipped by Paraguay 2-1, and pegged back Brazil after going down to earn a 1-1 draw and the top spot in the group.

Team news: Jefferson Lerma will miss the match after picking up two yellows in group play. If Colombia advances and Richard Rios, Jhon Cordoba, Driver Machado pick up another yellow, they will miss the semi-final.

Predicted Lineup: Keeper: Camilo Vargas; Defenders: Deiver Machado, Carlos Cuesta, Davinson Sanchez, Daniel Munoz; Midfielders: Jhon Arias, Richard Rios, Mateus Uribe; Forwards: Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba, James Rodriguez

Panama

Believe it or not, Panama was the only side in this tournament to win two group games and not earn the top spot in their group. Panama took care of business against Bolivia, but their win over USA was surprising and impressive.

Team news: If Panama advances and Michael Murillo, Egardo Farina, or Eduardo Guerrero pick up another yellow, they will miss the semi-final.

Predicted Lineup: Keeper: Orlando Mosquera; Defenders: Eric Davis, Carlos Harvey, Jose Cordoba, Edgardo Farina, Michael Murillo; Midfielders: Yoel Barcenas, Jovani Welch, Cristian Martinez, Cesar Blackman; Forwards: Jose Fajardo

• H2H: Colombia has won 10 of 14 matchups against Panama.
• Colombia trend – Colombia is 10-1-0 in their last 11 versus CONCACAF nations.
• Panama trend – Panama is 2-2-8 in their last 12 versus CONMEBOL sides.
• Luis Diaz Player trend – Diaz has scored in two of his last four caps.

We’re not sure what it is about the Panama canal, but for some reason, the football just goes up a notch in quality south of that great channel. Colombia has always dominated countries from Central and North America, but they’ve been especially disrespectful to their Northern neighbors recently, having won 10 of their last 11 meetings with CONCACAF sides, dating back to 2016. 

On the same token, Panama simply can’t find a way to consistently compete with CONMEBOL countries on the pitch, having lost eight of their last dozen matches against South American sides. And while they’ve split the series 2-2 since the start of the new millennium, Colombia has historically rolled Panama over, winning 10 of the 14 all-time meetings.

Colombia has reached the semi-finals in four of their last eight Copas, including two of the last three. Panama had an impressive run at this tourney, but they’re not on the same plane as La Cafeteros, so we like the favorites to win here, though there’s not much advantage to betting on them considering their soccer betting odds sit at -303 on the moneyline.

Over 2.5 Total Goals (-125) | Sports Interaction

Colombia has been one of the most potent sides at this tournament, tying for second in the group stage with six goals in three games. And who were they tied with? You guessed it, their quarter-final opponents, Panama. This pair of teams has played six games combined so far at this tournament, and five of those have seen three or more total goals; now we see why sports betting sites like Sports Interaction are offering odds as short as -125 on the over total goals prop.

If Ontario sportsbooks had known this next little nugget, those odds might’ve been even shorter: there have been 3+ total goals scored in nine of Colombia’s last 11 matches against CONCACAF sides, and same goes for eight of Panama’s last 12 games against CONMEBOL, including both matches against South American sides at this tournament. As a cherry on top, six of the last seven meetings between these countries have gone over 2.5 total goals as well.