Argentina vs Ecuador Prediction & Betting Tips (5 July)

Reigning world champion and holder of the Copa America since 2021, Argentina clearly has the resources and the ambition to achieve the treble, like Spain in 2008, 2010 and 2012. The era of Messi approaching the end, the Argentinians are in unmissable form, in particular thanks to their successful group stage with three victories without conceding a single goal, against Canada in the opening 2-0, in Chile in a 2nd phase 0-1 and against Peru last 2-0. If we count friendly matches since the start of 2024, the Albiceleste are undefeated and have won their seven matches. Let's talk about the start of the qualifiers for the next World Cup, the 3 times world champion currently occupies the first spot ahead of Uruguay against whom they lost points following their 0-2 home defeat. A hardly anecdotal defeat since it is the only one since Saudi Arabia during the first day of the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar. Ecuador finished 2nd in group B by winning only one match, against last, Jamaica 3-1 and thus leaving Mexico in 3rd place. Playing outnumbered very early in the match against Venezuela following the exclusion of Enner Valencia, La Tri conceded defeat during the first day 1-2, thus putting itself in an unfavorable position for the rest of the game.

the competition. However, the goalless draw against the Mexicans 0-0 during J3 which was, the final for 2nd place, was enough to reach the quarter-finals, but the opponent this night was probably the one to avoid.. To talk about the qualifications for the next World Cup, the Ecuadorians have lost only one of their six matches, against Argentina 1-0. For the rest of the record, it’s three wins for two draws.

Remaining on the bench during the last day of the group stage, Messi (Inter Miami) suffered from a thigh injury which affected him at the end of the game against Chile. So spared against Peru, the former number 10 of FC Barcelona is not yet sure of playing this quarter-final. However, La Pulga can have peace of mind since Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) is making the coffee in the competition (4 goals in 3 appearances) while boys like Julian Alvarez (Man City), Garnacho (Man United), Lo Celso (Tottenham), Paredes (Roma) and even the captain Angel Di Maria (Benfica) are there to fill in. The Argentines' iron defense is obviously led by goalkeeper Martinez (Aston Villa) with his watchdogs: Molina (Atlético), Pezzella (Bétis Sevilla), Tagliafico (Lyon), Acuna (Sevilla FC), Otamendi (Benfica) , Lisandro Martinez (Man United) or even Romero (Tottenham). In short, you will have understood, Scaloni has a wide range of choices concerning his defensive sector but also in midfield with De Paul (Atlético), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) and Guido Rodriguez (Bétis Sevilla). It will be recalled that Balerdi and Medina were not called up (choice) and that Dybala (Roma) and Foyth (Villarreal) are injured.

Suspended during J2, Enner Valencia (Internacional) has since returned to the group but no still hasn't settled the sights. Little change made in the different starting eleven of the Ecuadorian coach with obviously the Chelsea recoverer, Caicedo (elected home of the J3 match against Mexico), accompanied by Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro) and an offensive line of 3 composed of promising Paez (17 years old), Kevin Rodriguez (Union Saint-Gilloise) and Brighton winger Sarmiento (3 goals in 20 PL appearances this season). Up front, we should quite logically find Enner Valencia (87 sels, 41 goals) while the defensive sector is well-rounded with Hincapié (Leverkusen), Préciado (Sparta Prague), Pacho (Frankfurt) and Roc Torres (Corinthians). Let us recall the withdrawals of the major elements which are Estupinan (Brighton, 38 sel) and Chavez (Lens), both on the flank (injured) while boys like Plata (Al-Sadd), Angulo (Anderlecht) and the defender Arboleda (Sao Paulo) were not called for the event.