Ecuador vs Brazil

On Thursday night, Ecuador and Brazil clash in Quito, in a massive game in South American qualifying for this year’s World Cup.

Ecuador

The home team are in a promising position to qualify for Qatar 2022, as they currently sit third place in the group with just four games remaining. They are currently six points clear of fourth-place Colombia and fifth-place Peru, who sit in the play-off spot. A few more wins should be enough to qualify, although they cannot afford many slip-ups, this encounter is a difficult one.

Gustavo Alfaro’s team head into this game on the back of three wins in their last five qualifiers. A key to their good position in the group has been solid defensive displays, as they have now kept clean sheets in four of their last five games in qualifying.

Brazil

The Selecao are top of the standings, six points clear of second-place arch-rivals Argentina, having already qualified for the World Cup. Tite’s team are unbeaten in qualifying, recording 11 wins and two draws from 13 outings.

Like their opponents, the visitors have a solid recent defensive record in World Cup qualifying, as they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four qualifiers, having conceded just once in the run.

Brazil have been strong on their travels in World Cup qualifying, as they are unbeaten in their last 15 away qualifiers, a record that dates back to 2015. However, the Selecao have drawn their last two away qualifiers in Colombia and Argentina.

Ecuador vs Brazil Team News

Ecuador has no reported injury issues in the squad. However, defenders Bryan Castillo and Fernando Leon have withdrawn from the squad due to injury.

Brazil have named a slightly experimental squad. Forwards Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Everton and Richarlison have all been omitted from the squad. The latter is only just regaining match fitness following injury.