Argentina vs Ecuador
Only nine months have passed since Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Lionel Scaloni’s boys are about to embark on their title defence.
CONMEBOL: Argentina vs Ecuador is the first step for La Albiceleste towards the 2026 World Cup, where they will go as champions after Lionel Messi led them to their long awaited title last December. The Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aries will be packed to the rafters and the noise will be deafening when Argentina take to the pitch, and it is unlikely to die down for some time.
When the Argentina players returned to their homeland with the World Cup trophy in tow the celebrations went on for days as five million fans took to the streets.
The CONMEBOL league is always fiercely contested with some of the best teams in the world in competition for just six slots and one inter-confederation play-off place available. Alongside Argentina, the South American giants of Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Colombia all expect to play on the biggest world stage and Ecuador too, though with a modest history, have some fine players in their ranks.
Gustavo Alfaro is the man in the opposite dugout as he leads Equador at the start of their World Cup journey. He knows their opening could hardly be more difficult against a team 42 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings; Argentina are ranked fourth to Ecuador’s 46th and they are, of course, the World Champions.
The visitors, dangerous though they may be, are likely to meet an irresistible force in Argentina and I expect a home win.
Talking Points
Argentina’s restart could be spectacular
After a period of underachievement, with the greatest player of all time in their ranks, Argentina finally did it last year and conquered the world. And to be fair to the Albiceleste they looked to be the best side in the competition from the moment they trudged off the pitch after a shock defeat to Saud Arabia. They swept Poland and Mexico aside to make the knockout phases where they beat the Netherlands, Australia and an impressive Croatia 3-0 before beating France in the final.
Now Scaloni’s men want more success and, with a team of world beaters in their 11, why not? Messi has been having a great time in the MLS, scoring for fun with Inter Miami and he is sure to make some spectacular Argentina vs Ecuador 2023 highlights. But this is no longer a one man team which is why they are successful. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is one of the most potent scorers in Europe and has three goals already this season.
The Premier League also boasts some top Argentine players. Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez is a clever striker with great feet and superb reading of the game, while Chelsea youngster Enzo Fernandez will star for his country for years to come. Spurs wingback Cristiano Romero scored a screamer in a recent Premier League game against Burnley while Manchester United centre back Lisandro Martinez has become a cult figure at Old Trafford where the fans love his no-nonsense tackling.
This is a well balanced and top quality international side which will take some beating.
Caicedo can shine for Ecuador
La Tri doesn’t have the array of stars that Argentina is blessed with but they have one of the most valuable players in the world, in 21 year old Moises Caicedo, who moved from Brighton and Hove Albion to Chelsea this summer for a whopping fee which could reach £115m. He’s a defensive midfielder who is as cultured as he is strong, a brilliant passer and powerful runner. There were many eyebrows raised when the Blues forked out a nine figure sum for such a young player, but the Seagulls are well known for nurturing talent and they have another La Tri player in their ranks. 25 year old Pervis Estupian is an attacking left wing back who has impressed in the Premier League, he has good positional sense in defence and the ability to raid down the flank and deliver a dangerous cross, periodically cutting inside to try his luck at goal. Estupian has four goals for Ecuador and Scaloni will have his team primed to keep the wide man quiet.
Another player to watch is 21 year old centre back Willian Pacho, who is strong in the air and has two goals in his three appearances for his country. Pacho joined Eintracht Frankfurt from Royal Antwerp in summer and has started the first two games for the Eagles.
History
While Argentina are World Cup royalty, Ecuador’s best performance was when they reached the Round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup. The Albiceleste have had much the better of the head to heads with Ecuador, winning eight of their 16 meetings, drawing five and losing just three.
The last encounter, a qualifier for the 2022 World Cup, ended in a 1-1 draw in Ecuador, though Argentina won the previous three meetings, all at home and scoring ten goals to one.
In terms of recent form Ecuador are on a winning streak of three, but their hosts have won their last six and are unbeaten in 19 on home soil.
Betting Tip
The Argentina vs Ecuador 2023 betting odds are pointing to a home win with Scaloni’s boys at a short SBOTOP price of 1.28, with Ecuador at 7.33 and the draw priced at 4.64.
2-0 is the most likely score-line at a relatively short price of 4.84 and I doubt that will be far from the mark.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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