Panama v England: Three stats-related bets for Saturday including a Harry Kane hat-trick
Will England win their final Group L game and finish top? We've got three Opta stats and three corresponding tips for Saturday night's match...
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Big England win backed against Panama
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Rice the creator is smart assist bet
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Kane could repeat hat-trick eight years on
Click here for Panama v England odds
Saturday 27 June, 22:00 kick-off
Live on ITV
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
England made a flying start against Croatia, albeit with defensive lapses, then stuttered against Ghana. Now they play Panama in their third and final Group L match knowing that victory should mean they finish top and give themselves a weaker opponent in the round of 32.
The Three Lions are 2/131.15 to beat a Panama side that has lost both of its games so far 1-0. If the draw against Ghana taught us anything, however, it is that England should never take victory for granted and that sides who sit back are difficult to break down, no matter the gulf in class.
There weren't many positives to take from Tuesday's match but a reality check needn't be a bad thing at a tournament as long as this World Cup.
Ste Tudor has recommended four bets and we will have an in-depth match preview, as well as Alan Shearer's prediction on Friday, but for now here are three Opta stats and related bets for Panama v England.
Tip#1 - Back England to cover three goal handicap
Panama and England's only previous encounter was in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup - England won 6-1, their largest World Cup victory to date. If the Three Lions decide they have a point to prove here, they could rack up another big score against Panama.
Back England -3
Tip#2 - Back Rice to assist
Declan Rice has created 10 chances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far, the most of any player across the first two matchdays. This is only the third instance on record (from 1966) of an England player creating 10+ chances in a single group stage at the finals, with David Beckham responsible for both of the first two (11 in 2002, 16 in 2006).
Back Declan Rice to assist
Tip#3 - Back a Harry Kane hat-trick
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in England's only previous encounter with Panama at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including two goals from the penalty spot. It was England's third hat-trick at the tournament, after Geoff Hurst (v West Germany in the 1966 final) and Gary Lineker (v Poland in 1986).
Back Harry Kane to score a hat-trick
Notable winners on Betting.Betfair so far at the 2026 World Cup...
- Mark Stinchcombe's stunning 38/139.00 Bet Builder in South Korea v Czechia
- Paul Higham's 9/25.50 Bet Builder in Mexico's MD1 defeat of South Africa
- Paul also tipped 13/53.60 (Canada v Bosnia) & 15/82.88 (Brazil v Morocco) draws
- A 6/17.00 winning ACCA for Mark on Sunday at the World Cup
- Andy Robson's 9/110.00 five-leg ACCA as Germany wallop Curacao
- A 13/53.60 winner for Paul as France beat Senegal with both teams scoring
- Paul's at it again, an 11/43.75 winning Best Bet in Switzerland v Bosnia
- An 11/26.50 winner for Jimmy The Punt as Jonathan David scores 2+ goals
- Paul's 2/13.00 headline tip in Germany v Ivory Coast was a winner
- Jack Critchley delivered a 5/16.00 goalscorer treble on day 13
Now get more Opta stats and World Cup MD3 tips
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What do England need to do to win Group L?
FIFA changed the group stage tiebreaker for the 2026 World Cup. Previously, goal difference would be the first metric used but that has switched to head-to-head record. With England and Ghana playing out a 0-0 draw the head-to-head will be no good should both teams finish level on points after the third and final group game.
The next metric that will be used as a tiebreaker is goal difference. England, thanks to a 4-2 defeat of Croatia coupled with Ghana only beating Panama 1-0, are ahead by one goal in the group.
Therefore, if England match Ghana's result against Croatia it will be the Three Lions who go through as group winners. If Ghana better England's result by one goal it will still be England as the next metric is goals scored.
So Ghana need to win while England drop points or run up a big score against Croatia. That is unlikely which explains why England are as short as 1/101.10 to win the group.
When are England's Group L Games?
See below for the dates and times of Englands matches in the group stage of the tournament:
|
England 4-2 Croatia |
ITV1 |
Dallas | June 17th, 9pm (UK time) |
| England 0-0 Ghana | BBC1 | Boston | June 23rd, 9pm (UK time) |
|
Panama vs England |
ITV1 |
New York-New Jersey | June 27th, 10pm (UK time) |
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