Verdict: Brazil win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting the final part of their pre-World Cup preparations underway late on Sunday night, Brazil will welcome Panama to Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil
Starting with the hosts, suffering real frustration out in Qatar four years ago as they suffered a quarter-final exit at the hands of Croatia, Brazil travel to North America this summer with plenty to prove. Although Carlo Ancelotti’s superstar squad might have eventually breezed their way through qualifying last year, the Selecao failed to find any real stability and they signed off their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat away at Bolivia back in September. Likewise, remarkably winning just a trio of their final eight qualifying appearances, the former Real Madrid boss has also seen his side register consecutive wins on just a single occasion since October 2024. Set to officially get their World Cup adventure underway on June 13th when they meet African giants Morocco, Brazil will simply be looking to claim some welcomed momentum and avoid what would be an infamous banana skin in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil Team News
Despite sending shockwaves across the footballing globe this month following Neymar’s sensational inclusion in Ancelotti’s squad, the veteran superstar has been dealt an immediate injury blow and it has been confirmed their all-time leading goalscorer won’t play any part here.
However, recently returning from a muscle issue and featuring in Liverpool’s final Premier League appearance of the season, Alisson should get some more minutes under his belt and start between the sticks. Set to feature for PSG in the 2026 Champions League final on Saturday evening in Hungary, Marquinhos will not feature.
Panama
As for the visitors, set to make their return to the world stage this summer, Panama certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Set to share Group L with European giants Croatia and England, Los Canaleros are set to shatter a string of records next month. While Thomas Christiansen’s camp might have already accepted that it would take a minor miracle in the race to book a maiden World Cup knockout stage ticket, Panama will be relishing an historic time in their history. Last seen signing off March’s international break with a 2-1 victory away at South Africa, Sunday’s guests have lost just one of their previous 16 straight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes – a run that stems all the way back to March 2025.
Panama Team News
All featuring in Panama’s maiden World Cup campaign out in Russia in 2018, the likes of Amir Murillo, Eric Davis and Fidel Escobar have all been included this time around. However, despite suffering major heartbreak on the eve of Panama’s iconic trip to Russia eight years ago, Alberto Quintero has also been called-up by Christiansen.
Despite missing San Diego’s last MLS outing due to a minor knock, influential skipper Anibal Godoy is expected to lead Los Canaleros out on Sunday night and should earn a record-breaking 160th international cap.
Brazil vs Panama Key Factors to Consider
When Brazil and Panama last met for a friendly showdown back in March 2019, Sunday’s opponents played out a shock 1-1 draw in Porto.
Brazil have remarkably registered consecutive wins across all competitions on just a single occasion since October 2024.
The Selecao could only win a trio of their final eight World Cup qualifying appearances.
Panama have lost just one of their previous 16 straight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes – a run that stems all the way back to March 2025.
Los Canaleros have found the net in eight of their last nine away fixtures.
Conclusion
Forced to settle for an uninspiring 1-1 stalemate when they last met Panama for a friendly showdown back in 2019, Brazil will be desperate for smoother sailing here. With the start of their World Cup adventure feat approaching, the South American giants will be hoping to claim some much-welcomed momentum. While Panama might have rightfully received plenty of plaudits for their rugged approach, Sunday’s guests will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge in Rio de Janeiro.
Verdict: Brazil win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
