World Cup Qual. CONMEBOL
Brazil will be looking to keep their 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers intact when they take on Ecuador at Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda.
The Selecao look unstoppable at the moment, but they can’t afford any complacency in Friday’s clash. Neymar returns to contention after overcoming his injury, with Junior Vinicius and Gabigol making the cut as well.
Real Madrid duo Marcelo – Rodrygo, though, has been left out of the squad, while Dani Alves and Lucas Verissimo are sidelined with injuries.
Ecuador, on the other hand, are eyeing their fourth consecutive win in the process.
La Tricolor aim to give fans yet another reason for celebration, but spoiling Brazil’s party in Porto Alegre is easier said than done.
A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Fenerbahce attacker Enner Valencia, who is eager to open his goalscoring account.
Brazil vs Ecuador: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Brazil Ecuador played so far 13 matches.
Brazil won 9 direct matches. Ecuador won 2 matches. 2 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.38 goals per Match.
Brazil vs Ecuador Prediction
Brazil in actual season average scored 2.08 goals per match. In 16 (69.57%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (30.43%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Ecuador average scored 1.70 goals per match in season 2021. In 9 (64.29%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (50.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Brazil goalkeepers Ederson and Weverton have started two games each during the qualifiers so far, but with the return of Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker to the squad, he could be recalled to the first XI.
A back four of Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Renan Lodi – which has begun all four qualifiers – is unlikely to be changed by Tite, while Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz could keep his place in central midfield.
Paris Saint-Germain talisman Neymar, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory over Peru last year, is in contention to start this weekend and make his 104th international appearance, which would put him one cap behind Lucio who is fourth on the all-time list.
The 29-year-old could be joined in a three-man attack by Roberto Firmino and Richarlison, though Gabriel Jesus will also be pushing for a place in the starting lineup.
As for Ecuador, Arboleda and Arreaga are set to partner each other in the heart of the defence, while one of Estupinan or Diego Palacios is expected to play at left-back.
Central midfielders Moises Caicedo and Jhegson Mendez are likely to keep their places in the starting lineup, with 36-year-old Christian Noboa set to begin the game as a substitute.
Forward Enner Valencia – who is just one goal away from becoming Ecuador's outright all-time record goalscorer, as he is currently level on 31 strikes with Agustin Delgado – is likely to return to the first XI and could start alongside Mena and Estrada.
Plata, who was sent off late in the game against Colombia, will serve a one-match suspension on Saturday, but will be back in contention for their next fixture against Peru on Tuesday.
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, T. Silva, Lodi; Luiz, Casemiro, Paqueta; Richarlison, Firmino, Neymar
Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Dominguez; Preciado, Arreaga, Arbodela, Estupinan; Gruezo, M. Caicedo, Mendez; Mena, Estrada, Valencia
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