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

October's two matchdays will decide the final four quarter-finalists which will progress through from League A.

Match preview

A complicated and certainly controversial Swiss-styled format has been implemented into this year's Nations League, and it looks set to cost Curacao.

Despite there being six teams in the two sections of League A, each team will only play four matches against randomly assigned opponents.

Curacao have been dealt a harsh hand, facing Trinidad & Tobago, one of the strongest sides on the continent, twice.

Dean Gorre's side need two wins from their final two games to even stand a remote chance of making the quarter-finals, as many other results will also need to go their way.

Having already lost to Trinidad and Martinique, Curacao are playing catchup, and head into this week's action in one of the two relegation spots, along with El Salvador, who are also pointless.

Curacao being the only side in League A yet to score a goal is compiling the misery on what has been a dreadful 12 months for the nation's football side.

After only being spared relegation last year because League A was expanded, Curacao have gone on to lose twice to Indonesia, endure a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Argentina - their heaviest defeat since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles - and sensationally losing in a Gold Cup playoff to minnows Saint Kitts & Nevis.

Panama meanwhile, find themselves in a strong position to qualify after two good results in September's fixtures.

A resounding 3-0 win over Martinique was then followed up by a respectable 1-1 draw away in Guatemala, leaving Panama in second behind Trinidad.

Panama will face Guatemala again on the deciding matchday next week, after this trip to struggling Curacao.

Unlike their upcoming opponents, Panama have enjoyed a brilliant 2023, beating USA in the Gold Cup semi-finals before just coming up short to Mexico in the final.

Earlier in the competition, Thomas Christiansen's side also recorded a win over Costa Rica, and thrashed Qatar 4-0.

Therefore, they will fancy their chances of being one of the six CONCACAF sides who will qualify for the next edition of the Copa America.

The four winning quarter-finalists as well as two losers who win in a subsequent playoff will be invited to take part in the 2024 finals being held in the US.

While finishing top two in this group is the first hurdle, Panama would then have to beat one of Mexico, USA, Canada or Costa Rica to make absolutely sure of a place in the finals, but they have beaten two of those opponents this year already.

Curacao CONCACAF Nations League form:

L

L

Curacao form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

L

L

Panama CONCACAF Nations League form:

W

D

Panama form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

D

Advert - content below:

Team News

There have been rumours swirling around that some Curacao players are boycotting the squad at present after a difficult year.

Goalkeeper Eloy Room is one who is said to be taking time away from the setup, along with striker Richairo Zivkovic.

Captain and record appearance holder Cuco Martina is out of this squad with injury, along with former Brighton & Hove Albion striker Jurgen Locadia.

Leandro Bacuna was sent off against Martinique and will serve a two-match suspension, so will be unavailable for both matches this week.

Coming back into the squad is Dylan Timber - older brother of Jurrien and Quinten - as well as the nation's joint-top scorer Rangelo Janga and former Newcastle United man Vurnon Anita.

For Panama, Christiansen has recalled Alfredo Stephens, Jose Luis Rodriguez and Edgardo Farina after the trio did not make the previous squad.

Rolando Blackburn, Eduardo Guerrero and young midfielder Angel Orelion are among those who miss out this time though.

There are 17 leagues represented among the 24-man squad, with MLS being the most popular, but Michael Murillo of Marseille is the most high-profile member.

Curacao possible starting lineup:

Doornbusch; Markelo, Gaari, D Timber, Floranus; Kuwas, Roemeratoe, Anita, J Bacuna, Gorre; Janga

Panama possible starting lineup:

Samudio; Escobar, Cordoba, Andrade; Blackman, Godoy, Carrasquilla, Davis; Fajardo, Waterman, Diaz

We say: Curacao 0-2 Panama

With rumoured discontent among the group and sitting joint-bottom on zero points following a poor year, Curacao are likely to be out of contention for a quarter-final spot by the end of this week.

Previews by email