Martin Green Backs Both Teams to Score at +105 in Ghana-Panama World Cup Opener

Q: As underdogs clash, does the expanded 48-team format make this opening game a true do-or-die decider for advancement hopes?

No. In the 48-team World Cup, this is a pivotal opener for Ghana and Panama, but not a true do-or-die match. The reason is the new format. Group winners and runners-up still advance, but so do the eight best third-place teams across 12 groups. That makes the path to the Round of 32 more forgiving than in past World Cups. A team that loses its opener is not close to mathematically eliminated; even one win, combined with a decent goal difference, can keep third-place qualification alive. That said, the game still carries outsized importance because of the group context. England and Croatia are the clear favorites, and England’s 4-2 win over Croatia has only reinforced that view. For Ghana and Panama, this head-to-head is likely the most realistic chance to take three points. Losing it would leave the defeated side needing a result against stronger opposition and likely relying on tiebreakers. So the match is better described as a high-leverage swing game than a knockout game. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz calling it “must-win” reflects the practical reality for an underdog in a tough group, especially with Ghana missing Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus. Panama, ranked higher and more stable recently, also knows a win could put a Round of 32 place within reach. In short, the expanded format lowers the elimination risk from one loss, but this opener may still decide which underdog has a realistic advancement path.

3 articles · Updated · SportsLine · Jun 17

Martin Green’s featured pick for Wednesday’s Ghana-Panama Group L match is both teams to score at +105, part of a set of three best bets he has released for the World Cup opener in Toronto.
Panama’s recent scoring trend underpins that call: both teams scored in five of their last six friendlies, while Green argues Ghana have enough attacking quality to break down Panama’s defense.
FanDuel lists Ghana at +135 on the 90-minute money line, Panama at +220 and the draw at +210, with the total set at 2.5 goals for the 7 p.m. ET kickoff at BMO Field.
The matchup matters because both sides are viewed as Group L underdogs behind England and Croatia, leaving them effectively chasing one of the tournament’s eight third-place at-large spots.
Green’s picks carry extra attention after an 18-8 run across his last 26 Champions League selections, adding to profitable results in that competition and the Bundesliga last year.