Both teams' most recent outings were in the CONCACAF Nations League, and they are now in preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off later in June.

Match preview

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen reacts during the match on March 30, 2022 © Reuters

In Sunday's friendly, Panama will return to action after a strong end to their impressive CONCACAF Nations League campaign in March, as Los Canaleros topped Group B of League A having gone unbeaten in their four outings.

After picking up seven points from the opening three games in 2022, they returned for the final meeting with Costa Rica on the back of a six-match winless run, including four straight draws in friendlies against Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Cameroon and Guatemala, before suffering a 2-0 loss to World Cup winners Argentina as Thiago Almada and Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet.

They would return to winning ways to seal top spot, though, scoring a 1-0 victory away at Costa Rica as Jose Fajardo hit the only goal 13 minutes from time, before he was sent off in the dying embers.

That meant Thomas Christiansen's men finished first with an unbeaten record having not conceded a single goal in their four outings against Costa Rica and Martinique, and they now turn their focus to the upcoming semi-final tie with Canada in Nevada next week.

With the CONCACAF Gold Cup also looming in June, Los Canaleros will be keen to build some momentum with a friendly win on home turf on Sunday before travelling to the USA for the Nations League finals.

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen on February 2, 2022 © Reuters

They meet a Nicaragua side who also finished the Nations League campaign at the top of their group in March, after enjoying a fast start in 2022 as they picked up 10 points from the opening four matches, having beaten Bahamas twice and Trinidad and Tobago once while also playing out a 2-2 draw away at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

After those results were followed by a string of defeats only separated by a 1-0 win at home to El Salvador in the second half of last year, La Azul y Blanco returned to action for the first time in 2023 at home to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and dished out a 4-1 beating, with Ariagner Smith, Juan Barrera, Matias Belli Moldskred and Francisco Flores all getting on the scoresheet before they headed to Trinidad and Tobago for the final outing with the need to avoid defeat to seal top spot in Group C of League B.

Smith would put his nation ahead in the 27th minute, and although Joevin Jones levelled the game from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time, Nicaragua stood strong away from home in the second half to ensure the game remained tied at a goal apiece, keeping them a point clear of their hosts and confirming the first-placed finish as a result.

Now back in action for three friendlies before entering the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage later this month, Marco Antonio Figueroa's team are also hoping to keep building confidence after their recent success and prior to the upcoming tournament.

Panama friendly form:

Panama form (all competitions):

Nicaragua friendly form:

Nicaragua form (all competitions):

Team News

Panama's Gabriel Torres celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 30, 2022 © Reuters

Ahead of their tough semi-final against Canada next week, Panama should field a full-strength side in Sunday's friendly, and a strong squad has been called up, albeit with several notable absentees including midfielder Alberto Quintero and forward Gabriel Torres, who have earned 126 and 104 international caps respectively.

Their attack will be spearheaded by Cobresal striker Cecilio Waterman, who has netted eight goals in his 22 appearances on the international stage, while he will have different wingers around him to the Costa Rica victory with both Quintero and Ismael Diaz not involved in this squad.

Instead, Freddy Gondola and Cesar Yanis may be deployed in a front three, while Adalberto Carrasquilla is another notable absence in the engine room and could be replaced by Jovani Welch alongside Cristian Martinez.

Nicaragua's squad is not overly blessed with an abundance of experience, and they will be heavily reliant on captain Juan Barrera to lead the attack, with the 34-year-old boasting 75 caps and 24 international goals.

That tally of appearances for La Azul y Blanco is only topped in this squad by Josue Quijano, who will play an important role in the defence, while Oscar Acevedo, Erick Tellez and Francisco Flores could all feature at the back too.

Matias Belli Moldskred is one to watch in the midfield, as is Ariagner Smith further forward, while Kevin Serapio is also bound to feature in the centre from the outset.

Panama possible starting lineup:
Mosquera; Cummings, Escobar, Andrade; Murillo, Welch, Martinez, Blackman; Gondola, Waterman, Yanis

Nicaragua possible starting lineup:
Rodriguez; Quijano, Acevedo, Flores, Tellez; Moldskred, Coronel, Serapio; Moreno, Barrera, Smith

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We say: Panama 3-1 Nicaragua

Nicaragua did impress in the CONCACAF Nations League, but they meet a Panama side who boast more quality all over the pitch and one gearing up towards the Nations League finals next week with the aim of going into their meeting with Canada on the back of a dominant display.

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