On Thursday night, Ecuador host Venezuela in a possibly crucial South American World Cup qualifier.
Despite their lofty position of third place in the South American qualification group, Ecuador heads into this clash on the back of just one win in their previous five World Cup qualifiers. Last time out, they drew 0-0 with Colombia in Barranquilla.
🔜 @LaTri#SomosVinotinto #Eliminatorias pic.twitter.com/I2qsk1tkbs— La Vinotinto (@SeleVinotinto) November 9, 2021
🔜 @LaTri#SomosVinotinto #Eliminatorias pic.twitter.com/I2qsk1tkbs
The recent poor form in qualifying is unlikely to prove fatal to Ecuador’s chances of qualifying for Qatar 2022, though. The home team are currently third-place in the standings but are just a point clear of fifth-placed Uruguay, who occupy the play-off spot.
However, they are four points clear of sixth-place Chile, which means if they can find some sort of form then they will at least book a play-off spot.
Ecuador have a pretty strong recent home record in qualifying, as they have now won four of their previous six qualifiers on home soil. They have also kept three straight clean sheets on their own patch in World Cup qualifiers.
Venezuela have struggled for any sort of results in the highly competitive South American qualification campaign. The visitors currently sit bottom of the group, having picked up just seven points from their 12 qualifiers.
Unsurprisingly, considering their current position in the standings, Leonardo Gonzalez’s team has a poor recent record in qualifying, as they have won one of their last eight qualifiers while suffering five defeats in the process. In fact, they have won just three of their last 19 matches in World Cup qualifying.
Venezuela also have a poor recent away record in qualifiers, as they have won just one of their previous 18 matches on their travels. A 3-0 defeat in Chile in their last away qualifier means they have now suffered six straight away defeats in qualifying.
Forebet predicts that Ecuador will boost their chances of automatic qualification for the World Cup by recording a win in a relatively low-scoring encounter.