Ecuador and Curaçao square off at Kansas City Stadium in their second Group E fixture at the FIFA World Cup, with both teams looking to bounce back from opening defeats.
The debutants look out of their depth at this tournament and should struggle against the South Americans, who are expected to earn a comfortable victory.
Key Stats
- Ecuador are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Curaçao have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.
- Curaçao have lost by three or more goals in three of their last four matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first meeting between Ecuador and Curaçao at this level.
La Tri Eying a Return to Form
Ecuador began their campaign in Group E with a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast. They set out to frustrate the West Africans and held out for long periods before they were breached late on.
Manager Sebastian Beccacece will be disappointed with his team's display and will be demanding a response in the second fixture. Ecuador looked solid in the build-up to the tournament and were unbeaten in nine straight matches before the opening day defeat.
Ecuador may have had a defensive set-up in their opening fixture, but they boast quality in attack with Enner Valencia, and are likely to open up against Curaçao. Among their recent results is a 3-0 victory over Guatemala in their final warm-up game.
Curaçao out of Their Depth
Curaçao were outclassed in their opening fixture, suffering a 7-1 defeat to four-time World champions Germany. Livano Comenencia struck an equaliser after going behind early in the contest, but they went on to suffer a capitulation.
The Curaçaoans were expected to find things difficult in the group, and that defeat shows they may be out of their depth. That was also the fourth defeat in five matches in all competitions for Dick Advocaat's team, whose overall form has been poor lately.
Curaçao often struggle at this level and have been on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, like their opening fixture. They have lost by three or more goals in three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Ecuador (3-4-3): Hernan Galindez; Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Alan Minda, John Yeboah, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia.
Ecuador are expected to make a few changes to their team, with Estupinan likely to earn a start having sat out the opening fixture. Rodriguez could also play from the beginning after coming off the bench against the Ivory Coast.
Curaçao (4-2-3-1): Eloy Room; Sharel Floranus, Riechedly Bazoer, Armando Obispo, Deveron Fonville; Tahith Chong, Leandro Bacuna; Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Sontje Hansen; Jurgen Locadia.
Curaçao had a few lively spells in their opening fixture and are likely to stick with a similar line-up. Locadia should lead the line once again, while Comenencia should retain his place in the team after scoring his country’s first-ever World Cup goal.