Preview: Brazil Women vs. Panama Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Panama are making their first appearance at the tournament, while Brazil is one of seven teams to feature at all nine Women's World Cup finals.

Match preview

Brazil head into the tournament as the reigning champions of South America after they won their fourth consecutive Copa America title last summer.

Debinha's penalty in the final against Colombia secured a 1-0 victory, ensuring the record winners lifted the Copa America trophy for the eighth time in their history.

The Selecao are still yet to get their hands on the World Cup, but they went close in 2007 when they made their way to the final before losing 2-0 to Germany.

After finishing as runners-up 13 years ago, Brazil went on to reach the quarter-finals in 2011, before falling at the last-16 stage at the last two tournaments.

Impressively, Brazil have won all of their previous eight World Cup openers, and they will be determined to continue to maintain that 100% record on Monday.

Panama, meanwhile, are preparing to make their World Cup debut after securing qualification via the intercontinental playoffs.

After beating Papua New Guinea 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs, Panama advanced to the final stage, where they faced Paraguay for a place in the World Cup finals.

The contest appeared to be heading towards extra time, before Lineth Cedeno scored the all-important goal to etch her name into Panamanian football history.

Las Canaleras will be desperate to give a good account of themselves in a difficult group that contains Brazil, France and Jamaica.

However, a 7-0 defeat to Spain and a 5-0 loss to Japan in their final two warm-up games would have dented their confidence ahead of their tournament opener.

Brazil Women form (all competitions):

Panama Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Real Madrid's Kathellen is expected to start in the centre of the Brazilian defence alongside Rafaelle, while Antonia and Tamires could be utilised as the two full-backs.

Geyse represents one of Brazil's main goal threats, and the Barcelona forward could be joined in the forward line by Gabi Nunes.

Marta is set to participate in her sixth and final World Cup, and as her country's all-time leading scorer could have an important role to play from the bench.

As for Panama, Yenith Bailey could have her work cut out in goal, but the 22-year-old will be hoping the back five can offer her adequate protection.

Wendy Natis, Yomira Pinzon and Carina Baltrip-Reyes are to operate as the three centre-backs, while the two wing-back spots could be filled by Katherine Castillo and Hilary Jaen.

With chances expected to be few and far between, Karla Riley could be given the lonely task of leading the line on Monday.

Brazil Women possible starting lineup:

Lele; Antonia, Kathellen, Rafaelle, Tamires; Borges, Kerolin, Luana, Adriana; Geyse, Nunes

Panama Women possible starting lineup:

Bailey; Castillo, Natis, Pinzon, Baltrip-Reyes, Jaen; Mills, Montenegro, Gonzalez, Cox; Riley

We say: Brazil Women 5-0 Panama Women

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