Ecuador vs Bolivia Preview: Team News & Prediction
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A stubborn Ecuador side sit just a point ahead of Bolivia, whom they face in this World Cup qualifying encounter in Guayaquil.
Kick-off date/time: Friday 15th November, 2024: UK – 12:00am / US ET – 7:00pm (Thursday) / US PT – 4:00pm (Thursday)
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
Ecuador Preview: Solid but unspectacular
With just two defeats to their name in the current CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, only Colombia have lost fewer games than Ecuador at this stage, with Sebasitan Beccacece's side proving to be stubborn opponents in the South American section.
Goals have been something of an issue though, as La Tri have scored just once across their last four qualifiers with both of their fixtures last month ending in goalless draws against Paraguay and Uruguay respectively.
Bolivia Preview: Plucky underdogs
After an unprecedented three-game winning streak in World Cup qualifying, Bolivia were given a reality check by Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in their most recent fixture last month, losing 6-0 to the reigning Copa America and world champions.
However, their recent winning run does keep them very much in the qualification mix, and they will look for another positive away result here after ending their 31-year wait for an away qualifying victory with a 1-2 victory over Chile in September.
Ecuador Squad
Goalkeepers: Hernán Galíndez (Huracán-Argentina), Gonzalo Valle (Liga Deportiva Universitaria-Ecuador), Moisés Ramírez (Independiente del Valle-Ecuador)
Defenders: Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen-Germany), Xavier Arreaga (New England Revolution), William Pacho (PSG-France), Félix Torres (Corinthians-Brazil), Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge-Belgium), Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton-England), Jhoanner Chávez (RC Lens-France), Ángelo Preciado (Sparta Prague-Czech Republic), Cristian Ramírez (Ferencváros-Hungary)
Midfielders: Alan Minda (Cercle Brugge-Belgium), Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea-England), Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro-Brazil), Ángel Mena (Pachuca-Mexico), Carlos Gruezo (San Jose Earthquakes-USA), Kendry Páez (IDV-Ecuador), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton-England), Pedro Vite (Vancouver Whitecaps-USA), John Yeboah (Raków Czestochowa-Portugal), Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo-Brazil).
Forwards: Enner Valencia (Internacional-Brazil), Kevin Rodríguez (Union Saint Gilloise-Belgium), John Mercado (AVS Futebol SAD-Portugal), Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami-USA).
Bolivia Squad
Key Stats
- Ecuador have won eight and drawn one of their last nine international matches against Bolivia.
- Ecuador have won 12 and drawn two of their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches against Bolivia. Since a 2-0 away defeat in January 1997.
- Ecuador have won their last eight World Cup qualifying matches at home against Bolivia. Since a 1-1 draw at home in their first such fixture in September 1993.
- Ecuador have lost only one of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (W4 D4).
- Ecuador are unbeaten in their last ten World Cup qualifying matches at home (W6 D5). Since a 2-1 defeat against Peru in June 2021.
- Ecuador have kept six clean sheets in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches.
- Ecuador have not conceded a goal in their last four World Cup qualifying matches at home.
- Bolivia are aiming to win five matches in a World Cup qualifying campaign for the first time since the 1994 edition.
- None of Bolivia’s last 21 World Cup qualifying matches have finished level. Their last draw in a qualifying match was at home against Colombia in September 2021 (D 1-1).
Ecuador vs Bolivia Prediction
Bolivia have made some excellent strides recently, not least ending their away hoodoo in CONMEBOL qualifying, but it's too early to tell whether they can repeat what they managed in Chile back in September.
Ecuador very much adopt a defensive-first approach so another low-scoring affair is expected here, but given Bolivia's general struggles on the road, a win to nil for the hosts is predicted.
Ecuador vs Bolivia Tip: Ecuador to win to nil
