Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
Date: Sunday, June 14 / Monday, June 15
Kick-off Time: 12 a.m. BST (June 15)
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Match Preview
Ivory Coast will be making a first World Cup appearance since being eliminated in the Group Stages in Brazil 12 years ago. That squad full of global superstars failed to live up to the expectations the nation had of them.
Failing to Qualify for the 2018 & 2022 editions will have been a big blow for “The Elephants” but they made no mistakes this time around cruising through CAF Qualifying with eight wins and two draws from the ten fixtures.
Emerse Fae is the man charged with trying to create history for Ivory Coast, he will be aiming to guide them out of the group stages for the first time ever at a World Cup.
It is a new wave of fresh young players that head to this tournament and you feel with the quality they have shown over the last 2 years they should make it out of the group especially given Curacao look very weak in Group E
Ecuador meanwhile are riding the crest of a wave right now, never before has there been such excitement about an Ecuador national football team.
The South Americans had an astonishing record in CONMEBOL Qualifying winning eight,drawing eight and losing just twice whilst conceding just five goals in 18 matches finishing in second place ahead of the likes of Brazil & Uruguay.
It is 19 matches since they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil and of those 19 matches they have kept clean sheets in 13 of those. No defence at this world cup will be more feared than La Tri.
As you might expect a side so good defensively do have issues going forward and they only scored 14 goals during those 18 qualifying matches.
I dont think you will see any exciting matches watching Ecuador this world cup but what you will see is a very well coached side.
Team News Ivory Coast
Emerse Fae has some issues at centre back ahead of this opener in Philadelphia with AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka struggling with an injury and unlikely to feature.
Whilst there may be issues defensively the same can certainly not be said of the attacking options available to the elephants. They have arguably the hottest prospect in world football at there disposal with RB Leipzig attacker Yan Diomande set to feature in attack.
He is set to be partnered in attack by Amad Diallo of Manchester Utd and Evan Guessand who has enjoyed a successful second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace.
They look especially strong in midfield with Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare likely to be joined by Seko Fofana and Franck Kessie in the starting team.
Team News Ecuador
Ecuador look pretty healthy heading into this world cup opener on Sunday with Sebastián Beccacece not having any concerns.
The only player who is a slight doubt is record goalscorer Enner Valencia, the former West Ham man has been struggling with a thigh strain but is widely expected to lead the line.
Just saying the names of the back four is enough to strike fear into any international striker, a back four will consist of Piero Hincapie of Arsenal, William Pacho of PSG, Pervis Estupinian of AC Milan and Joel Ordonez highly rated at Club Brugge
Add to that the experience of Moises Caicedo of Chelsea and you have a very solid looking defensive outfit.
Form
| Team | Latest Result | Form (Last 6) |
|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast | 2-1 vs France |
W L W W W W |
| Ecuador | 3-0 vs Guatemala | D W D D W W |
Possible Line Ups
Ivory Coast (4-3-3)
Y. Fofana; Doué, Kossounou, Diomande, Konan; Kessié, Sangaré, S. Fofana; Amad, Wahi, Diomande.
Ecuador (4-2-3-1)
Galíndez; Estupiñán, Ordóñez, Pacho, Hincapié; M. Caicedo, Vite; Yeboah, Plata, Angulo; E. Valencia.
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ivory Coast Win | 9/4 (3.25) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 7/4 (2.75) | Dream Vegas |
| Ecuador Win | 6/4 (2.50) | 247Bet |
We Predict.....
Ivory Coast 0-0 Ecuador
Nobody ever wants to predict a goalless score but i fear we might be heading for stalemate in Philidelphia, we know what we will get with Ecuador and im not sure Ivory Coast have enough to break them down.