Panama – Venezuela SOCCER PICKS
Panama and Venezuela meet at Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez, in a friendly match. This is the 6th friendly of the year for Panama, after friendlies against Norway, Northern Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, Switzerland and Denmark. In the case of Venezuela, this is their first friendly of the year. There is only record of 2 recent direct matches between these two teams: on 25-05-2016, which ended with a draw by (0-0), and on 08-09-2015, which ended with a draw by (1-1) ). In this game the home factor may be decisive, since Panama presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Panama:
This is the 6th friendly match of the year for the home team, after previous friendlies in which they registered the following results: Norway (1-0) Panama, Panama (0-0) Northern Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago (0-1) ) Panama, Switzerland (6-0) Panama and Denmark (1-0) Panama. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 2 wins, 3 draws and 10 losses in away matches, with 10 goals scored and 28 conceded; against 7 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 18 goals scored and 10 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home defeat with Tunisia by (1-2). In the last 10 home matches Panama has won 6, tied 3 and lost 1. Their attack needs improving, since they have not scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 7 of the last 15 matches they played ended with Under 1,5 goals. In 15 games, they only got 1 comeback in the 9 games in which they suffered the first goal.
Panama leaves for this game with a defeat against Tunisia, 1-2, in a game for the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. Aníbal Godoy, player of the San Jose Earthquakes, makes the pass his best weapon and is a player very competent in the offensive process. On the other hand, the advanced Gabriel Torres is the one that presents more quality in the most advanced zone of the terrain. Apparently, coach Gary Stempel has all his players.
Venezuela:
This will be the first friendly of the year of the visiting team, who played 3 last year. In these friendlies it registered the following results: Venezuela (0-1) Iran, Ecuador (1-1) Venezuela and the United States (1-1) Venezuela. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 11 goals scored and 22 conceded; against 3 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses at their stadium, with 16 goals scored and 21 suffered. The team comes to this match after a home loss to Iran by (0-1). In the last 7 away matches for all competitions, Venezuela won 1, tied 3 and lost 3. Their defense has not been very strong, as they have suffered goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In 13 games, he never got the comeback in the 6 games in which he suffered the first goal.
Venezuela arrives at this unmotivated match, after a rebuff against Colombia, 1-2, in a match in which Darwin Maches scored the only goal of the team. Analyzing the last matches, the visiting team usually opts for a line of four defenders, four midfielders and two advanced. The most offensive references of Venezuela are José Rondón and Josef Martínez, both being very powerful and very strong in the finalization. So, compared to a rival with fewer competitions, it is clear that the Venezuelan team adopts a more offensive strategy, with the aim of trying to take advantage of the rival’s mistakes. Coach Rafael Dudamel can count on the usual players.
