On Tuesday afternoon, Ecuador and Senegal clash in a vital last game in Group A of the World Cup.
Ecuador form guideThe South American team have taken two points from their opening two games from Group A. They kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat of host nation Qatar before a highly creditable 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in their outing. Another win in this game would see them qualify for the last 16 of the competition.
The draw against the Oranje means that Ecuador are now unbeaten in their last nine international games. However, six of those nine matches have produced draws.
All nine of their recent unbeaten games have produced under 2.5 goals. When it comes to the World Cup, Ecuador are now four games unbeaten in the competition. Their last three matches at the World Cup have also all produced under 2.5 goals.
Senegal form guideAliou Cisse’s team kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat against the Netherlands. However, they boosted their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages by recording a 3-1 win over hosts Qatar.
Senegal’s recent international record is mixed. However, the African nation has lost just one of their previous six matches. Their games have been low-scoring of late, as the win over Qatar ended a run of five straight games that had produced under 2.5 goals.
The 3-1 win over the hosts ended Senegal's three-game winless run at the World Cup. Another win would put Cisse’s team into the competition's knockout stages.
Latest team newsEcuador’s three-goal striker Enner Valencia is a fitness doubt. However, he should be fit enough to start. Senegal are without Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane. Versatile Cheikh Kouyate is a fitness doubt.What am I backing?
Both teams have been involved in low-scoring games of late. I am backing this encounter to produce another low-scoring affair.