Uruguay host Ecuador in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier with both teams looking to snap out of a rough patch. The draws are beginning to pile up for both sides and Wednesday’s clash could be set to produce a closely fought contest.
Uruguay are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Peru in their previous qualifying fixture. They struggled to create much going forward despite seeing plenty of possession and looked to be heading for a draw before conceding two minutes from time.
The result means Uruguay are now winless in their last six matches, playing out four draws in that run. The task for manager Marcelo Bielsa will be to get things back on track as the Uruguayan will be playing in front of their fans having been away in the last two fixtures.
Ecuador have also found things difficult lately after picking up just one win from their last five matches across all competitions. Like Uruguay, Sebastian Beccacece’s men have been plagued by draws having been held three times in that run.
One of those draws came in their previous fixture in the qualifiers as Ecuador were held 0-0 by Paraguay. They saw plenty of possession and created loads of chances but were wasteful in front of goal.
How the bookies view it: Odds favour Uruguay
Uruguay have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 3/5 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Ecuador is valued at 9/2 while a draw is set at odds of 12/5 by Betfred.
Head to head: Uruguay on top
Uruguay have an 8-4 advantage with four draws from 16 previous matches against Ecuador. However, the Ecuadorians claimed a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
Players to watch: Nunez to step up
With Luis Suarez retired from the national team, much of Uruguay’s attacking responsibility falls on Darwin Nunez. The striker has five goals in the qualifiers and is priced at 11/8 by Betfred to find the net on Wednesday.
Enner Valencia remains a vital player for Ecuador and could be the one to watch on Wednesday. Betfred is offering odds of 3/1 on the veteran striker to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-ups
Facundo Pellistri was a second half substitute for Uruguay last time out and could be handed a start on Wednesday, with the manager likely to tweak the system. Nunez should feature in attack once again while Federico Valverde is set to continue in midfield.
Ecuador are also expected to make a few changes, with Jeremy Sarmiento likely to start after coming off the bench at the break last time out. Valencia is also set to lead the line once again while Moises Caicedo should retain his place in midfield.
Uruguay: Rochet, Varela, Gimenez, Bueno, Olivera, Ugarte, Valverde, Arrascaeta, Rodriguez, Pellistri, Nunez
Ecuador: Galindez, Hincapie, Pacho, Torres, Estupinan, Franco, Caicedo, Sarmiento, Paez, Plata, Valencia
Anything else catch the eye?
Uruguay and Ecuador were both on target in their last meeting and a repeat is priced at 6/5 by Betfred. That fixture produced over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 5/4 by Betfred, who is also offering odds of 100/30 for over 3.5 goals.
Both teams have battled to halftime draws in their last two meetings and a similar pattern is valued at 21/20 by Betfred.
This World Cup match between Uruguay and Ecuador will be played on Oct 16, 2024 and kick off at 00:30. Check below for our tipsters best Uruguay vs Ecuador prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
