Ghana and Panama will make their first appearances at this year’s World Cup when they lock horns in Group L at BMO Field in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Both sides will head into the clash knowing how group rivals England and Croatia fared just a few hours earlier.
After enjoying a surprise run to the quarter-finals in 2010, the Black Stars have exited at the group stage in each of their last two World Cup appearances.
Carlos Queiroz’s side will be hoping that a strong start this time around puts them in a commanding position to reach the knockout rounds.
As for Panama, they will be aiming to make an impression in only their second-ever World Cup appearance, their first coming back in 2018.
Los Canaleros’ hopes of progressing could hinge heavily on the outcome of this opening fixture against Ghana, especially with tough tests against England and Croatia still to come.
How the bookies view it: Ghana to hit the ground running
Ghana come into this clash as 23/20 favourites with bet365, and that price looks like good value given the clear gulf in quality between the two nations.
Panama are 23/10 outsiders with the same bookmaker, while the draw is also considered unlikely at 5/2.
Head to head: History book blank
Ghana and Panama will meet on the international stage for the first time ever in this Group L encounter.
Panama may take some encouragement from the fact they have already beaten African opposition, having recorded a 2-1 win over South Africa in a friendly fixture back in March.
Players to watch: Semenyo to star for Black Stars?
Antoine Semenyo is the standout name in the Ghana squad, and he holds plenty of appeal to register either a goal or an assist here at 6/5 with bet365.
Adalberto Carrasquilla is the player who makes Panama tick. He averaged 1.11 shots per game during World Cup qualification, so at least one effort in this match looks like decent value at 8/11 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener in Toronto after being refused entry into Canada. The other notable absentee from the Black Stars squad is Mohammed Kudus, who has failed to recover in time from a serious injury suffered last season.
Panama, on the other hand, head into this clash with a fully fit squad at their disposal.
Ghana: Ati-Zigi; Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah; Owusu, Yirenkyi, Nuamah, Boakye, Semenyo; Ayew
Panama: Mosquera; Murillo, Blackman, Escobar, Cordoba, Andrade; Barcenas, Godoy, Carrasquilla, Diaz; Fajardo
Anything else catch the eye?
The 19/20 on offer with bet365 for both teams to score could be worth a look.
This selection would have been the right one in six of Panama’s last seven matches.
Three of Ghana’s last four games have also seen each team oblige, further strengthening the case for siding with a repeat at BMO Field.
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