Brazil vs Ecuador Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | Group Stage
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Five-time world champions Brazil have endured a very difficult couple of years and, under the management of Dorival Junior, they are simply looking for a shred of quality as they now welcome Ecuador for this FIFA World Cup qualifier.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 7th September, 2024 - UK – 2:00am / Sunday 8th September, 2024 - US ET – 9:00pm / US PT – 6:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
BRAZIL PREVIEW: IN LIMBO
In the last 12-18 months, there have been strong reports and suggestions that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti would become the Brazilian national team manager. Well, the fact Dorival Junior remains in charge, would suggest there is a stop-gap in place ahead of a potential 2025 arrival.
Before then, though, Brazil must arrest their poor couple of years with a quarter-final exit to Uruguay at this summer’s CONMEBOL Copa America in the United States meaning that they have won just three of their last 12 matches and seven of their last 20.
ECUADOR PREVIEW: THE IMPROVING ECUADORIANS
Coached by former Elche boss Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador have a very exciting group of young and emerging talent that has helped ‘La Tri’ move up to 27th in the FIFA World Rankings ahead of the September international break.
The Ecuadorians come into this sitting tucked inside the top six and the automatic qualifying spots from South America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having collected eight points in their six matches so far.
BRAZIL TEAM NEWS: NOT MANY CONCERNS
The lack of quality, especially in attack, is a concern and Al Hilal forward Neymar remains unavailable but they do still have the likes of Real Madrid trio Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Endrick.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Militao, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Danilo; Joao Gomes, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ECUADOR TEAM NEWS: ANGELO PRECIADO DOUBT
For the trip to Brazil, Ecuador have one issue to deal with and that is that Angelo Preciado is expected to be unavailable for their first qualifier on this international break.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Hernan Galindez; Angelo Preciado, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan; Carlos Gruezo, Moises Caicedo; Kevin Rodriguez, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento; Enner Valencia
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Angelo Preciado (Injured)
BRAZIL VS ECUADOR PREDICTION
Brazil are in a pickle. Legendary figures such as Ronaldinho have suggested the national team is no longer worth watching, such is the lack of high level quality in it and that was shown once again by their disappointing CONMEBOL Copa America showing. Ecuador have a well balanced and impressive squad, especially defensively, and will be confident they can frustrate Brazil so it could well be a good value bet for this one.
BRAZIL VS ECUADOR TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – ECUADOR TO WIN OR DRAW
