Ecuador v Germany, Wednesday, 7.30pm, ESPN
Match Odds: Ecuador 5.4, Germany 1.79, The Draw 3.9
DUE to the Champions League Final involvement of many of Germany's top stars, national coach Joachim Low has named an unfamiliar looking squad for this trip to Florida to play Ecuador.
The whole of Bayern Munich's treble-chasing contingent have been omitted in light of their German Cup Final date on Saturday. This experimental line-up will also be without Real Madrid pairing Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira due to remaining fixture commitments at the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, most of Borussia Dortmund's Wembley starters will miss this trip to the US, ruling out Mats Hummels, Marco Reus, Marcel Schmelzer, Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundogan, though fringe players Sven Bender and Kevin Grosskreutz will be available for the second friendly against USA in Washington.
Given the untried nature of their opponents one of the strongest Ecuadorian sides of recent years should smell European blood for a second such friendly in succession, after an impressive 3-2 victory away to Portugal in February.
Sat only second to Argentina in the hugely competitive CONMEBOL qualifying group for World Cup 2014 consisting of nine teams this Ecuador side are unbeaten in their last nine games in competition and friendly football combined winning the three in 2013.
Led by prolific talisman Christian Benitez and the likes of Manchester United's Antonio Valencia this exciting Ecuador side have followed up that notable scalp in Portugal by stuffing El Salvador 5-0 in a friendly and Paraguay 4-1 in a qualifier.
If Germany had their full squad out their heavy favouritism would be justified but opposing them here against a well-oiled and uber-confident Ecuador side looks the value bet.
Draw No Bet
As well as either laying the Germans or plumping for juicy odds on the Ecuador win the cover of a Draw No Bet – meaning you get your stake back if the spoils are shared – appeals greatly when looking at this fixture. On such a long unbeaten streak as this head coach Reinaldo Rueda will be desperate for his players to keep the momentum going.
To Score
He may not have cut the dijon at Manchester City but 24-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow striker Felipe Caicedo has no problem delivering the goods on the international stage. Thirteen goals from just 38 caps – including five in the current qualifying campaign – for FIFA's 10th-best rated team in the world speaks for itself and he'll be chief dangerman, searching for a fourth goal in as many appearances for La Tri in the sunshine state.
Recommended Bets
Back Ecuador to win (draw no bet) @ 3.6
Back Felipe Caicedo to score @ 4.6
Milesey (Betfair)
Benitez to score anytime 3/1 @ Ladbrokes
Total goals
Caicedo – Club 39 Apps 10 goals
Country 38 Apps 13 goals
Benitez – Club 79 Apps 52 goals
Country 58 Apps 24 goals
Good record for both players
Benitez 3/1
Caicedo 7/2
Maybe stick £100 on both.
Chris your so crazy and brave!! How much money do you bet with a day? I now youve have some good wins hopefully ill get to your level one day!@
homcide the end of the its his money dude,
sry day.
Btts germany,youngboys,ma
Btts germany,youngboys,malmo. Straight winning england,helsinki,
after a great weekend i kept 120 pounds in this months kitty and i went with england to beat roi at 1/2 and doubled it up with both teams to score in the germany ecuador game
not sure now about them both to score but with germany resting a few it should be about right . what u think??
Germany 3-0 Ecuador
………… well, my over 2.5 goals is in 20 minutes into the game, but i think thats the game over aswell, German Reserve side, but Ecuador haven’t a clue how to defend.
Milesey
Indeed. Actually thought they would be the typical south american defensive team. When you win the bets so quickly, you get that damm feeling you should have bet more
Glad i Was at the golf n didnt back Ecuador against the Deutchers ;-)
The same Ecuador team who beat Portugal 3 – 2, Paraguay 4 – 1, and the only difference tonight is that they are playing 4-4-2, instead of their normal 4-5-1, and it has shown for the Hermans have opened them up !
Milesey
Mate as portuguese i can tell you that beating Portugal nowadays isn´t that impressive hehe. And Paraguay isn´t going to qualify to Brazilian world cup since they are rebuilding with a new generation of players that hasn´t gel yet. I keep understimating the Germans and that´s what happens. Could have won alot more.