Ecuador and Senegal will battle for the three points that will guarantee either of them a place in the next stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
Key Statistics
Ecuador are unbeaten in their last nine games (W3, D6).
They have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games.
Senegal conceded beyond the 70th minute in their last six World Cup group stage games.
They have failed to score in just two of their last ten games.
World Cup trivia: The word ‘Teranga’ in Senegal’s nickname is of Wolof ethnic origin and means hospitality or welcoming generosity.
Head to head
Senegal hold a 100% record in this fixture, winning their only two head-to-head meetings with Ecuador.
Latest performances in all competitions
Ecuador: D-W-D-D-D
Senegal: W-L-D-W-L
Ecuador
Ecuador continued their impressive start to the World Cup last time when they held three-time runners-up and Group A favourites, the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw.
Enner Valencia’s leveller against the Dutch put his nation on the brink of a second group stage progression in just their fourth-ever appearance at the finals after debuting in 2002.
The result also extended Ecuador’s unbeaten run to nine games (W3, D6 and put them in the second position in their group, level with the Netherlands. The draw ended a run of seven games without conceding a goal for Ecuador.
But that will not bother them, as they are still in control of their own destiny in this group. The South Americans require only a draw or a third clean sheet in four World Cup tournament games to proceed to the knockout phase.
And given their form in defence and the shape of Valencia, they will fancy their chances of keeping Senegal quiet and perhaps scoring at the other end to secure a win for themselves.
Possible Ecuador starting line-up
Hernan Ismael Galindez, Jackson Porozo, Piero Hincapié, Felix Torres, Angelo Preciado, Carlos Gruezo, Moisés Caicedo, Pervis Estupiñán, Gonzalo Plata, Romario Ibarra, Enner Valencia.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Senegal
While a draw will be sufficient to progress for Ecuador, Senegal needs to win this game to guarantee that they play in the knockout stages for the second time in the World Cup.
The AFCON champions became the only African team ever to help eliminate a World Cup host when they beat Qatar 3-1 last time out. The win followed a strong performance against the Netherlands on Matchday One, albeit they lost the game.
The Lions of Teranga have played well in their two World Cup games so far and have managed to cope without their star man Sadio Mane. Head coach Aliou Cissé will now look to repeat the 2022 World Cup heroics where he captained Senegal to group state qualification.
His men also have a psychological advantage in this game, as they have won their last two games against Ecuador.
Possible Senegal starting line-up
Edouard Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly, Abdou Diallo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ismail Jakobs, Ismaïla Sarr, Nampalys Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, Krepin Diatta, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou.
Injured: Fode Ballo, Cheikhou Kouyate
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Ecuador to win | Draw | Senegal to win | |
| Odds | 2.45 | 3.20 | 3.10 |
| Probability (%) | 39 | 30 | 31 |
Prediction
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
