October 2011 Preview: North America-Group 3

Group Primer here.
September Recap here.

Standings



World Ranking/Change from Previous Rank

Dominica-149th (Down 16), 21st N. America (Down 2)
Nicaragua-156th (Up 21), 25th N. America (Up 4)
Panama-53rd (Up 12), t-4th N. America (Up 2)

Schedule

September 2, 2011

• Nicaragua 2-0 Dominica

September 6, 2011

• Panama 2-1 Nicaragua

October 7, 2011

• Panama at Dominica

October 11, 2011

• Nicaragua at Panama

November 11, 2011

• Dominica at Nicaragua

November 15, 2011

• Dominica at Panama

October Games:

Game 3
Panama at Dominica
October 7, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm EDT
Location: Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

Game 4
Nicaragua at Panama
October 11, 2011
Time: 9:00 pm EDT
Location: Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Panama City, Panama

Fully expecting a Panama victory against Dominica on Friday. I'm a little more intrigued by the second October game though. It will be an elimination game for Nicaragua and likely a chance for Panama to secure advancement. If Nicaragua is hungry enough and plays the game of its life then they might have a chance. Make no mistake though, Panama is far and away the class of this group.

Post-October Standing Predictions:

a-Panama-9 pts
x-Nicaragua-3 pts
x-Dominica-0 pts

I anticipate Panama winning both games in October which would clinch advancement and eliminate Nicaragua and Dominica with 2 group games to play.