Ecuador vs Senegal – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Ecuador vs Senegal on and what time does it start? Ecuador vs Senegal will take place on Tuesday 29th November, 2022 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Ecuador vs Senegal taking place? Ecuador vs Senegal will take place at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Ecuador vs Senegal? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for ECUADOR vs SENEGAL
What channel is Ecuador vs Senegal on in the UK? Ecuador vs Senegal will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Ecuador vs Senegal in the UK? Ecuador vs Senegal can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
ECUADOR
- Ecuador made it four points from a possible six as they shared the spoils with Netherlands in their second game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup which means their fate is very much in their own hands.
- The Ecuadorians now know a draw in this final group game with Senegal will book their spot in the knockout stages but they may have to do without top-scorer Enner Valencia after he suffered a knee injury in the draw with the Dutch.
SENEGAL
- Senegal were given a late scare in their clash with hosts Qatar but they avoided an upset by adding a third in the final 10 minutes of play to secure the valuable victory and record their first points of this year’s tournament.
- It is likely that Senegal need to win this game to remain in the tournament so they could opt to go all-out in attack, retaining the front two of Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou for this clash, especially as the pair both found the back of the net against last time out.
THE TEAM NEWS
ECUADOR
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Ibarra; Valencia, Estrada
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Enner Valencia (Injured)
SENEGAL
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs; I. Sarr, Mendy, Gueye, Diatta; Dia, Diedhiou
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Cheikhou Kouyate (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- This is Ecuador’s first World Cup match against an African nation
- Ecuador have lost only two of their previous eight international matches against African nations (W4 D2)
- Ecuador are aiming to qualify for the knockout phase for the second time in four World Cup appearances. They previously reached the round of 16 in 2006
- Ecuador are aiming to complete a World Cup group stage without a defeat for the first time
- Ecuador are unbeaten in their last four World Cup matches (W2 D2) – their longest unbeaten streak at the finals
- Ecuador have lost only one of their last 17 international matches (W6 D10)
- Ecuador's last six FIFA World Cup goals have all been scored by Enner Valencia. He has scored them in just five World Cup appearances
- Senegal have played two previous FIFA World Cup matches against South American opposition. D 3-3 v Uruguay (2002) and L 1-0 v Colombia (2018)
- Senegal have lost only two of their previous eight FIFA World Cup group stage matches (W3 D3)
- Victory for Senegal would see them record their highest tally of points in a World Cup group. Six points beating their previous best of five in 2002
- Senegal have lost only one of their previous seven international matches against South American opposition (W3 D3). The sole defeat was their 1-0 loss against Colombia in the group stage at Russia 2018
- Senegal have only failed to score in two of their previous eight FIFA World Cup group stage matches
- Senegal have not kept a clean sheet in their last nine World Cup matches
THE PREDICTION
With Netherlands playing Qatar in the other game in Group A, the Dutch are expected to claim the win they need to secure their spot in the knockout stages so this looks set to be a straight shootout to join them. Ecuador’s draw with the Netherlands last time out means they boast a one-point advantage over opponents Senegal and therefore, a draw would be enough to confirm a top-two spot in the group. Senegal will have to throw plenty forward to try and claim the win but Ecuador could catch them out on the counter and with that in mind, it is worth siding with the South Americans to claim a positive result in this one which would see them progress on the back of an unbeaten group campaign.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – ECUADOR OR DRAW
