Ecuador
Ecuador are one of the hardest teams to break down in world football right now, they proved that in South American qualifying when they conceded just 5 goals in 18 matches to qualify in second place above the likes of Brazil & Uruguay. Unfortunately they also struggle to score goals.
Optimism was high coming into the tournament but they have just not performed, On Matchday 1 they looked set to earn a point against Ivory Coast but conceded an injury time goal to Amad Diallo and failed to pick up any points.
Coach Sebastian Beccacece would expect much more from his team against a Curacao side that had just lost 7-1 but they once again couldn’t find the attacking prowess and were frustrated by an inspired Eloy Room in the Curacao goal who made save after save to earn his nation a point in a 0-0 draw.
Injuries & Team News
Beccacece has no injury issues to report ahead of the game against Germany and it is largely expected that he will name an unchanged starting side despite them failing to beat Curacao on matchday 2.
They will once again be relying on 36 year old Enner Valencia to try and find the elusive goals they have been missing, the former West Ham man scored 6 of the 14 they scored in world cup qualifying.
Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, Pervis Estupinian are all expected to start in a rock solid defence, the questions that need answering are all further up the pitch.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-0 vs Curacao | D D W W L D |
Predicted Line-Up
Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Galindez; Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Yeboah, Franco, Caicedo, Vite, Estupinan; Plata, Valencia
Germany
Having been eliminated at the Group Stages of the 2018 & 2022 World Cups Julien Nagelsmann will be relieved that his German side have already wrapped up top spot in Group E and they will play in the knockout stages this time.
They started off with a thumping 7-1 win over Caribbean minnows Curacoa, they had a wobble in the first half when they conceded an equaliser but goals from Kai Havertz (2) Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and the impressive Deniz Undav secured the win.
It wasn’t quite as straight forward on Matchday 2 against Ivory Coast, they fell behind to a Frank Kessie goal and struggled for periods before Super-Sub Deniz Undav scored twice including an injury time winner to wrap up top top in the group.
Injuries & Team News
Die Mannschaft have suffered a big blow ahead of the Ecuador game with centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck ruled out of the rest of the world cup with an ankle injury, his place in the team will be taken by the experienced Antonio Rudiger.
With qualification and top spot already wrapped up it is thought Nagelsmann may give some minutes to some of his fringe players, Oliver Baumann could replace Manuel Neuer in goal whilst in midfield Leon Goretzka, Ben Stiller and Nadiem Amiri will all be hoping for a start.
Deniz Undav may well be rewarded for his excellent form so far at this world cup with a starting birth, the Stuttgart man has 3 goals and 2 assists in his first two games.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-1 vs Ivory Coast | W W W W W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Germany possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Anton, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Goretzka, Stiller; Leweling, Amiri, Beier; Undav
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador Win | 5/1 – (6.00) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 4/1 – (5.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Germany Win | 1/2 – (1.50) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Ecuador 0-2 Germany
Ecuador came into this world cup as dark-horses but truth be told they havn’t even fired a shot as yet, almost literally !!! Germany on the other hand have just got the job done. This could be another straight forward win for Germany with Ecuador offering nothing going forward.