Paraguay vs Ecuador
24 March 2330hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualifiers
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Boylesports
Odds: 8/15 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 22 March
Paraguay have slipped right right out of contention for qualification but Ecuador know that a win her would virtually guarantee them a spot at this finals later this year.
Table of Contents
Paraguay – Can Paraguay salvage some pride after a dismal run without a win?
You have to go back to September for the last time Paraguay won a match. That was a 2-1 win at home to Venezuela. At that point, they had only lost two of their first nine qualifiers and were one of a cluster of teams in with a chance of finishing in the top four and securing automatic passage to the finals. Since then though, they have dropped markedly and are now kept off the bottom of the section only by the Venezuelans, and that could change in the last two matches.
Paraguay have lost five of their last seven games with the only two points coming in draws against Colombia and Argentina – both of which were at home.
Ecuador Preview – Will Ecuador continue their excellent form and take another step towards Qatar 2022?
Not many would have had Ecuador sitting third with only two matches of the qualification campaign to go. It has been an excellent effort so far and a win here would put them within touching distance of a a first World Cup appearance since 2014 and just their fourth of all time. Ecuador will finish their round of matches when hosting Argentina next week but they will hope to be in even more a secure position than they are just now.
Gustavo Alfaro’s men are coming into this game in very strong form, too. They’re unbeaten in their last five qualifiers, winning twice and three draws.
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They hold a three point lead over fourth place Uruguay and a further point clear of Peru who are in the playoff spot heading into this round of games. Chile are six behind so you would think that barring an unlikely set of results then Ecuador would be likely to finish no worse than fifth.
The one concern for Alfaro ahead of this match is that his team have struggled on the road with the vast majority of their points coming at home. They’ve won just two of eight on their travels but have taken five points from their last three.
Paraguay vs Ecuador Betting Advice
This game is all about trying to salvage some pride for the home team whilst their opponents are just craving points which will put them on the cusp of qualification. Ecuador were too good when hosting Paraguay in the reverse fixture in September, earning a 2-0 victory. There has been no away wins in this fixture since 1997, however, showing how rare it is for the visiting team to take the spoils.
Key Facts – Paraguay vs Ecuador Betting Tip
- Paraguay have failed to win any of their last seven to leave them sitting second bottom in the section
- Ecuador sit behind Brazil and Argentina in South American Qualifying with two games to play
- It was a comfortable 2-0 win for Ecuador when the sides met back in September
With Paraguay’s dismal record and their inability to score goals, it isn’t hard to overlook them. However, with Ecuador struggling on their travels backing an away win doesn’t inspire confidence. Instead, under 2.5 goals looks to the way to go. Nine of Ecuador’s last 13 games have went below that line whilst five of Paraguay’s last seven home games have went the same way.
Best Betting Odds for Paraguay vs Ecuador