Uruguayvs.PanamaPanama

It will be the third and final friendly of the June internationals for the hosts, whilst the visitors make the trip during a strange week of fixtures involving friendlies and the CONCACAF Nations League.

Match preview

Uruguay continue their preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by playing their third friendly in just nine days when they host Panama in Montevideo on Saturday.

Qualification for the grand stage at the end of the year was in doubt at the turn of the year, after the South Americans fell to four straight defeats in qualifying to leave them requiring a huge turnaround in fortunes.

However, step forward Diego Alonso, with the 47-year-old arriving to replace Oscar Tabarez, who was sacked following those run of defeats back in November after a remarkable 15 years in charge.

Alonso would go on to win each of his country's remaining four qualifiers between January and March, conceding just one goal in the process, which helped them to comfortably secure a third-placed finish in the end.

Following on from there, Uruguay remain unbeaten under Alonso, and are still to concede just the one goal under his stewardship following a hugely impressive 3-0 win in Mexico back on June 3, before a goalless draw with USA on Sunday.

As a result, Uruguay look to be back to their best as things stand, and they will look to close out the summer internationals with another victory on Saturday to set them up perfectly for their World Cup opener with South Korea on November 24.

Meanwhile, Panama's fixture lineup for this summer has proved to be complex and difficult to prepare for, after Monday's trip to Canada in an international friendly was cancelled due to a pay dispute within their hosts' camp.

Following that disappointment, it was then only announced on Wednesday that Panama would be making the trip to Montevideo to face Uruguay, which follows less than 48 hours after the nation's meeting with Martinique in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Much of their focus is sure to be on that meeting with the minnows on home soil, whilst lineups are expected to be heavily rotated with such a short space of time between matches.

After narrowly missing out on a playoff place in their bid to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar back in March, Panama have played just the one fixture since - a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on June 3.

It was an impressive performance and result from Thomas Christiansen's side, and the odds will be hugely in their favour to follow that up with another against Martinique on Thursday, which would set them up as favourites to progress to the next stages of the CONCACAF Nations League.

As a result, Saturday's trip to Uruguay is likely to be viewed more as a hinderance by Christiansen and his side, but he will no doubt be eager to test his team's improvements over the last few years against a strong opponent.

Uruguay International Friendlies form:

Uruguay form (all competitions):

Panama International Friendlies form:

Panama form (all competitions):

Team News

Uruguay continue to remain without the services of its record goalscorer Luis Suarez on Saturday, with the striker being given time off in order to search for a new club this summer following his release from Atletico Madrid.

As a result, much of the goalscoring burden will fall on the shoulders of Liverpool-linked Darwin Nunez, and recently-released Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, with the latter being restricted to just a substitute appearance last time out.

Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez was forced off during the first half against the USA, so it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to start alongside veteran Diego Godin in defence.

As for the visitors, their starting 11 is likely to be completely different to the one that faces off against Martinique on Thursday evening.

Less than 48 hours will pass between the two kick off times, with travel to Montevideo having to occur in between, so a separate squad is set to be announced by Christiansen and the Panama Football Federation.

As a result, the likes of Alberto Quintero, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Ismael Diaz and Eric Davis - the usual regulars - along with many others, are unlikely to be involved.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:

Muslera; Araujo, Godin, Coates; Varela, Torreira, Vecino, Vina; Valverde; Cavani, Nunez

Panama possible starting lineup:

Mosquera; Blackman, Ramos, Cummings, Ramirez; Godoy, Ayarza, Griffith; Yanis, Torres, Blackburn

We say: Uruguay 3-0 Panama

Given the circumstances involving Panama and the little amount of time between their fixtures, this should be a comfortable victory for the hosts on Saturday.

Uruguay are in excellent form and would be expected to win against Panama regardless, but in this situation, they will be expected to come out with a comprehensive victory by a relatively wide margin.

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