Colombia are looking to end a recent run of draws when they host Ecuador in a South American World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez. Given the Ecuadorians’ recent struggles on the road, Colombia will fancy their chances of coming out on top in this one.
Colombia played out a 0-0 draw with leaders Brazil in their previous qualifying fixture. They were resolute at the back, fendng off the superior Brazilian attack and also had chances of their own at the other end of the pitch.
It has been too many draws for Colombia in this campaign having been held six times already in 11 qualifying matches. They are sitting just outside the automatic qualification places and will need to turn their draws into wins in a bid to usurp fourth placed Uruguay.
The good news for manager Reinaldo Rueda is that Colombia have been impressive at home with two wins in their last three matches. They will also take confidence from their recent defensive displays having kept a clean sheet against Uruguay prior to the clash with Brazil.
Ecuador travel to Colombia off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to bottom side Venezuela last time out in the qualifiers. They failed to build on Enner Valencia's first half opener and were breached twice by the hosts.
The visitors are currently third on the table, although they are just one point clear of Colombia in fifth. They have not been at their best lately with just one win from their last four matches and could find themselves out of the automatic qualification places with a defeat on Thursday.
One thing manager Gustavo Alfaro has to improve is Ecuador's away form that has seen them lose their last three matches. The goals have also been hard to come by on the road having found the net just once in that run.
How the bookies view it
Colombia have the edge among the bookies with a home win priced at 11/10 with Sport Nation. A victory for Ecuador is priced at 18/5 by BetVictor while SBK is offering 5/2 for a draw.
Head to head
Colombia have a 13-4 advantage with four draws from 21 previous matches against Ecuador. The Colombians have won three of the last four fixtures and claimed a 1-0 victory when both teams met in the Copa America in June.
Players to watch
Miguel Borja and Luis Diaz have impressed in attack for Colombia with Duvan Zapata and Radamel Falcao looking off colour lately. Both men have two goals each in their last three home matches and can ensure the Colombians find the net at 21/100 with Vbet.
Colombia have also looked solid recently, shutting out both the Uruguayan and Brazilian attack in their last two matches. Yerry Mina and Carlos Cuesta often partner in central defence and with Ecuador struggling for goals on the road, will be confident of keeping a clean sheet at 6/5 with BoyleSport.
Anything else catch the eye?
Colombia have won to nil in three of their last four matches against Ecuador and could be set for a similar result at 7/4 with bet365. BTTS NO can also be considered at 14/19 with SBK.
The Colombians can also be tipped as the only team to score at 15/8 with William Hill.
This World Cup match between Colombia and Ecuador will be played on Oct 14, 2021 and kick off at 22:00. Check below for our tipsters best Colombia vs Ecuador prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
