Preview: Honduras vs. Panama - prediction, team news, lineups

Panama will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Canada last time out when they travel to face basement nation Honduras for their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

The hosts are yet to win in six matches during qualifying, while the visitors are hoping to claim their third victory and climb back into the automatic qualification spots.

Match preview

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Honduras extended their winless run to eight matches across all competitions when they were beaten 2-0 at home against Jamaica last month.

Goals either side of half time from Kemar Roofe and Oniel Fisher condemned the hosts to their third defeat in qualifying and leaves them at the foot of the table with just three points from their opening six matches.

Honduras failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and their hopes of advancing to next year's tournament in Qatar are hanging by a thread. Head coach Fabian Coito needs to see his side turn their fortunes around quickly if they are to miraculously make the top four.

Los Catrachos can be confident of success this weekend, as they are unbeaten in each of their last four meetings against Panama, winning three times including a 3-2 victory in July.

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Panama, meanwhile, remain in a decent position to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, although they were dealt a blow in their most recent match last month, losing 4-1 away against Canada.

Los Canaleros made a bright start when Rolando Blackburn put the visitors in front in the fifth minute, however an 28th-minute own goal from Michael Murillo brought Canada back into the game before second-half strikes from Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David helped the hosts run away with all three points.

Thomas Christiansen's side – who have now won, drawn and lost two games each in qualifying – have dropped down into the inter-confederation playoff spot, one place and two points behind Canada in third.

While Panama have performed well on home soil in 2021, losing only one of their nine matches, they have struggled for consistency on the road, winning just one of their last five away games and conceding 11 goals during this run.

Victory on Saturday could see Panama move back into the top three if Canada were to lose to Costa Rica, as Los Canaleros aim to book their place at their second successive World Cup.

Team News

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Honduras have failed to score in each of their last three qualifiers, but attacking duo Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto will be relied upon once again to provide a much-needed threat in the final third.

Coito switched from a five-man defence to a back four against Jamaica and he is set to stick with a four-man backline once again this weekend, which could include 38-year-old left-back Maynor Figueroa, who has returned from a one-match suspension and will be hoping to earn his 178th international cap.

As for Panama, Christiansen is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting lineup, though experienced midfielder Armando Cooper could be handed a start at the expense of Cristian Martinez.

Forward Gabriel Torres, who is just two international appearances away from reaching the 100-cap milestone, will also be hoping that he can force his way into the first XI, joining Blackburn and Luis Rodriguez in attack.

Honduras possible starting lineup:
L. Lopez; Najar, Maldonado, Pereira, Figueroa; Arriaga, Flores; Elis, A. Lopez, Moya; Quioto

Panama possible starting lineup:
Mejia; Murillo, Escobar, Cummings, Davis; Godoy, Cooper; Rodriguez, Quintero, Torres; Blackburn

We say: Honduras 1-2 Panama

An entertaining five-goal encounter was played out between these two nations earlier this year, with Honduras coming out on top, and another clash with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards this weekend.

However, as the visitors are in slightly better form, we can see them coming away with all three points from the Olimpico Metropolitano.

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