Qatar is set to display its home stadium for the first time ever in the World Cup. They are longshots to win the World Cup, but crazier things have occurred.
Meanwhile, Ecuador is making its first World Cup appearance in almost ten years and its fourth appearance in history. Ecuador has a stronger chance of winning it all, but they will still need to overcome no shortage of talent en route to a championship.
There is destined to be plenty of energy on both sides on Sunday. Both clubs will do whatever it takes to earn a victory in this contest, and we can expect a hard-fought effort on both sides.
This match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM EST on Sunday, November 20th, in Al Khor in Qatar. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the odds, trends, and predictions for this clash between Qatar and Ecuador.
Qatar vs. Ecuador: Facts & Trends
- Ecuador is 4-5-1 all-time in World Cup play.
- Qatar has no record in World Cup play.
Ecuador comes into the match with the experience advantage. But both of these clubs will have a shot of winning without question. Qatar’s home advantage will help even the playing field as well.
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Qatar vs. Ecuador: Game Info & Odds
Qatar will host Ecuador on Sunday in what should be an exciting way to kick off the World Cup. Let’s take a look at the odds.
| Qatar | Draw | Ecuador |
| +240 | +210 | +140 |
Ecuador is a slight favorite, but the oddsmakers are anticipating a competitive matchup this weekend. Qatar will be counted out by the majority of analysts and bettors alike, but there is an upset appeal here.
Home teams have historically performed extremely well in World Cup matches. The passion of the home crowd sparks a tremendous advantage. If Ecuador was the host, the odds would likely favor them in a drastic fashion.
But Qatar’s chances of taking care of business are certainly enhanced here.
Qatar vs. Ecuador: Betting Previews
Betting on Qatar
Qatar has not played much other than friendly matchups as of late. It will be interesting to see how they are able to perform as a result.
They are set to host a pre-match show which will surely get the adrenaline flowing. Qatar will need to rely on energy and hustle in order to earn an upset win.
They are not going to earn victory but simply outplay their opponent. However, they can earn a leg up with the defense. If they consistently apply pressure on Ecuador, that will go a long way.
This is a moment that Qatar has been looking forward to ever since making its bid for World Cup play. And there have already been a ton of distractions off the pitch.
But Qatar boasts a talented, albeit fairly overlooked, squad. They feature some veteran leadership which certainly bodes well for World Cup play. Young players tend to get intimidated by the bright lights of the tournament, so the experience is crucial.
Although Qatar has not performed well against World Cup-caliber teams, they have demonstrated an ability to perform well in big tournaments in the past. They previously finished third in the Arab Cup a summer ago.
It will be interesting to see how Qatar fares against Ecuador.
Betting on Ecuador
Ecuador fully expects to earn the victory in this matchup. But they cannot afford to take Qatar for granted at home. As aforementioned, hosts tend to fare extremely well, so Ecuador needs to jump out to an early lead.
Ecuador is happy to return to the World Cup after not making the cut four years ago. They also boast a quality roster full of young talent. Although their youth is concerning to an extent, it will make for an exciting brand of soccer.
Michael Estrada and Gonzalo Plata will be players to keep tabs on.
Ecuador has faced trouble in terms of finding the back of the net in recent matches. Granted, many of those matches were friendlies. Nevertheless, they will likely need to score two goals to earn the victory.
With that being said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the final score of this match be 1-0. Both defenses are going to come out firing on all cylinders.
The key for Ecuador will be to consistently find shots on goal and score once early. If they tally at least one goal in the first half, I fully expect Ecuador to emerge victorious.
Injury Report
Qatar
Qatar has no reported injuries.
Ecuador
Roberto Arbeloda suffered a fractured ankle in June and is still working his way back to the pitch. Ecuador is hopeful that he will be at full strength.
Qatar vs. Ecuador: Picks & Predictions
Which team should you place your money on? Can Qatar upset the odds, or will Ecuador cover on the road?
This projects to be a competitive contest. Talent-wise, Ecuador holds the advantage. But Qatar’s home advantage will be a major talking point. And they are a team that will not go down without a fight and will keep things interesting throughout.
With that being said, Ecuador is the team to beat on Sunday. Look for them to post a strong performance en route to a victory.
The Pick
We should be in for a close and exciting opening match, but it is hard to look past Ecuador here. Go ahead and roll with Ecuador as your main Sunday Group A World Cup selection.
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