Brazil vs Ecuador Preview, Prediction, Lineups and Team News | World Cup qualifiers

Preview

• Tournament: World Cup Qualifiers
• Date: Saturday, Sep 07
• Kick-off Time: 02:00 am GMT
• Venue: Couto Pereira, Brazil

Brazil national football team will battle it out with the Ecuador national football team in the group-stage clash of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers at the Couto Pereira. Five-time winners Brazil had a disastrous start to the qualifying campaign as they suffered defeats in each of their last two games.

The Selecao will aim for a positive start to their campaign despite languishing sixth in the qualifying table, one spot below visitors Ecuador. They would need to finish in the top six to directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup and a firm response will be expected in the second half of the qualifying campaign.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s national football team produced an inspiring performance in the Copa America 2024 this summer but were knocked out by eventual winners Argentina in the quarter-finals. La Tri has lost just once in their last six matches.

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Brazil vs Ecuador Team News

Brazil national football team news

It came as a shock when Barcelona winger Raphinha was unexpectedly left out of the Brazil squad in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Young gun Estevao Willian earned his first call-up in the Brazil international squad and is expected to make his debut against Ecuador. New coach Dorival Junior excluded eight players who were in the squad for the Copa America competition this summer. Antony, Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli and Richarlison are some of the notable absentees in the Selecao squad.

Ecuador national football team news

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s record goalscorer Enner Valencia is expected to spearhead the attack in the WC qualifiers this summer. Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo is expected to be the driving force in the middle of the park.

Predicted Lineups

Brazil national football team predicted lineup:

Alisson(GK); Danilo, Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Arana; Guimaraes, Gomes; Vini Jr, Pereira, Rodrygo; Endrick

Ecuador national football team predicted lineup:

Dominguez(GK); Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie; Franco, M. Caicedo; Yeboah, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia

Head-to-Head

The two sides have faced off 35 times in the past, with Brazil comfortably winning 27 of those games. Ecuador managed only two wins whereas the remaining six games ended in a draw.

Last result:

Ecuador 1-1 Brazil – FIFA World Cup – January 27, 2022
Brazil 1-1 Ecuador – Copa America – June 27, 2021
Brazil 2-0 Ecuador – FIFA World Cup – June 04, 2021
Brazil 2-0 Ecuador – FIFA World Cup – August 31, 2017
Ecuador 0-3 Brazil – FIFA World Cup – September 01, 2016

Key Players to Watch out for

Vinicius Junior (Brazil)

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior will undoubtedly be the best player in the match this weekend. He is one of the top contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or later this year and has been regarded as the best footballer on the planet over the course of the last 12 months.

Enner Valencia (Ecuador)

The Internacional striker is the record goalscorer for Ecuador with 41 goals to his name. He wrote his name in the history books by becoming the first player to score at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. He is also Ecuador’s top goal-scorer at the FIFA World Cups with six goals.

Brazil vs Ecuador Prediction

Brazil’s national football team are easily the favourites for this tie due to their stellar head-to-head record in their last 5 meetings. Brazil endured a frustrating campaign in the Copa America and are currently sixth in the CONMEBOL standings after six games. The five-time champions has secured just seven points in six matches and their struggles on the pitch might continue given their poor home record since 2023.

Ecuador’s national football team, meanwhile, were one of the dark horses in Copa America this summer and were eventually bested by winners Argentina in the quarter-finals. The Tri-Color will be aiming for their fifth World Cup appearance after making a strong start to the qualifying campaign.

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Predicted Score: Brazil 3-1 Ecuador 

Betting tips and Odds (subject to change)

• Brazil win – 1.38
• Ecuador win – 9.00
• Draw – 4.30
• Odds source – Unibet

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