England can power past Panama early, according to Feargal Brennan
Panama stand between England and the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockouts on Saturday night as Thomas Tuchel plots a response to the 0-0 bore draw with Ghana. The Black Stars face Croatia in a parallel 10pm kickoff and England are currently tied on four points with Carlos Queiroz’s team in the race for top spot in Group L.
The pressure is back on for Tuchel and England against a Panama team they put six goals past on route to the semis back in 2018. Ahead of England’s night in New Jersey, PP News tipster Feargal Brennan checks out Paddy’s special and #Whatoddspaddy markets for Panama v England.
Panama v England Tips
Stat Special – Kane & Rice 5 shots on target between them & to be fouled 5 times between them
#Whatoddspaddy – 1+ Goals, Over 3.5 Corners & 1+ Cards all Before 29:59
Panama 4+ shots on target
Jude Bellingham 2+ shots on target
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WHEN: Saturday, June 27th 10pm
WHERE: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
TV: ITV1/ITVX/RTE Player
Kane & Rice 5 shots on target between them & to be fouled 5 times between them
From the positivity of the second half against Croatia to a slow trudging draw with Ghana, England’s World Cup has been one of contrast so far, and there’s certainly work to do here.
If England are to shake themselves from a mini slump, captain Harry Kane will be at the forefront, after bagging twice from three shots on target against Croatia and testing Benjamin Asare once last time out. Kane is also averaging exactly two shots on target from his last 10 starts for England.
Declan Rice is averaging two shots per match at the World Cup, and with the Arsenal man now Tuchel’s designated free-kick taker within shooting range, he could be a real threat alongside Kane.
Kane is always a target for opposition defences with three fouls won so far in the USA and Rice will be up against Panama’s top fouler so far (Carlos Harvey with seven). This combo requires both players to increase their averages in the two metrics but they’re vital to England’s chances of progression.
1+ Goals, Over 3.5 Corners & 1+ Cards all Before 29:59
England flew out of the traps against Croatia with Kane burying a penalty at the second time of asking on 12 minutes and Rice had the Three Lions 1-0 up just after just nine minute in their final pre-tournament win over Costa Rica.
Panama have done well to only concede one goal per game so far – both coming in the second half – but England represents a step up in attacking quality from Croatia and Ghana.
Set pieces are an increasing focus for England, with three corners in total awarded in the opening half hour against Croatia, and they will look to pin Panama back right from the off. Panama’s first two games have averaged two cards issued and they could be forced into some early errors, if England ramp it up.
Panama 4+ shots on target
Panama haven’t been shy in attacking teams at the World Cup – they just can’t score goals – and that means their elimination has already been confirmed. With the pressure off, they can play with more freedom, and Thomas Christensen’s team did land four shots on target in the 1-0 loss to Ghana with England giving up an average of three so far per match in the USA.
Jude Bellingham 2+ shots on target
Jude Bellingham has not completed 90 minutes so far at the World Cup, but he’s had a telling impact, including England’s key third goal against Croatia. That quickfire strike after the restart galvanized Tuchel’s men and came as part of his two efforts on target against the Croats.
He only had one off target attempt versus Ghana, but England only really started to test Asare after Madrod man was withdrawn and his willingness to shoot from range could be an asset to England against another low-ish block.
Panama v England Tips
Stat Special – Kane & Rice 5 shots on target between them & to be fouled 5 times between them
#Whatoddspaddy – 1+ Goals, Over 3.5 Corners & 1+ Cards all Before 29:59
Panama 4+ shots on target
Jude Bellingham 2+ shots on target
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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