Ecuador vs Paraguay Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | Group Stage
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Ecuador and Paraguay continue their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaigns when the two sides meet in Quito
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 10th October, 2024: UK – 10:00pm / US ET – 5:00pm / US PT – 2:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
ECUADOR PREVIEW: SOLID & STUBBORN
Ecuador have established themselves as a stubborn side in CONMEBOL qualifying having lost just twice in their eight games – to Argentina and Brazil – with neither defeat being by more than a single goal.
Sebastian Beccacece, who took charge of the national side at the beginning of August, oversaw the defeat to Brazil and a 1-0 win over Peru last month, which continued a trend of low-scoring games for Ecuador which has spanned the entire campaign.
PARAGUAY PREVIEW: SEPTEMBER WIN OVER BRAZIL
Despite the fact they have scored a paltry two goals in their eight qualifying games to date, one of those came in a 1-0 victory over Brazil last month, which marked their first non-penalty shoot-out victory over the Selecao since 2008.
That constituted their fourth clean sheet in their last five CONMEBOL qualifiers, and they have conceded just three goals across their eight games so far.
ECUADOR TEAM NEWS: CAMPANA BACK IN THE SQUAD
Inter Miami forward Leonardo Campana has been included in the squad for the first time this year, although the 24-year-old is still waiting for his first goal in national colours having made 15 appearances to date.
Veteran forward Enner Valencia, Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer, is expected to lead the line.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Galindez; Pacho, Torres, Hincapie; Preciado, Franco, Caicedo, Estupinan; Mercado, Paez; Valencia
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
PARAGUAY TEAM NEWS: LIKELY TO BE UNCHANGED
Gustavo Alfaro will be tempted to stick with the same XI that defeated Brazil last month, meaning starts for Premier League pair Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso despite limited minutes with their respective clubs this season.
Gustavo Velazquez and Gustavo Gomez will be considered in defence with both having started in Paraguay's last away game - a goalless draw with Peru.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Fernandez; Caceres, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Villasanti, Bobadilla; D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron; Pitta
UNAVAILABLE: Campuzano (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ECUADOR VS PARAGUAY PREDICTION
Ecuador have become notoriously difficult to topple on home turf. Indeed, they are unbeaten on their own patch in the current qualifying campaign, and only lost once at home in the entirety of their World Cup 2022 qualification cycle.
Paraguay, though, are incredibly resolute themselves, and their fixtures have been characterised by a lack of goalmouth action at both ends of the pitch. With these factors in mind, consider backing against both teams scoring with confidence
ECUADOR VS PARAGUAY TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE – NO
