USA vs Panama

The four-time winners and this year's host of the tournament, United States of America, play their second group match here against Panama.

The USA opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over neighbours Canada. Goals from Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore capped a solid performance inwhich the US were defensively sound. Tim Howard was, as usual, a rock at the back.

Opponents Panama also won their first match and a 3-2 victory gained them three points against minnows Guadeloupe, although they were 3-0 up earlier in the match.

From just looking at the recent stats one might expect an upset here - Panama haven't lost any of their last fifteen matches while the US hold a 2-2-2 record in their last six. The difference in class that the teams faced however was massive though. The USA were playing teams such as Argentina and Spain while Panama faced no side more taxing than Honduras or Bolivia.

I reckon that a side packed with MLS and Premiership quality players should be more than a match for the Panamanian team and while we might see a spirited performance from Panama, the US should win quite comfortably. Take them with a 1 goal handicap to get some value at Stan James.