World Cup 2022: Chile Keen to Catch up to Ecuador in Top-4 Clash

Chile vs Ecuador

If CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 qualifying were to end today, both Ecuador and Chile would join Brazil and Argentina in making it through automatically. The two are currently in the top four in the standings, although fourth-placed Chile are only ahead of Colombia and Uruguay on goal difference.

La Roja can solidify their fourth spot with a win against Ecuador in Santiago, and the World Cup 2022 betting odds have them favoured to do so.

However, La Tricolor – who are four points ahead of Chile – have continued to defy expectations and will be keen to slow down the surge of one of their top challengers.

Talking Points

Sanchez helps Chile turn qualifying campaign around

World Cup 2022: Chile will rely heavily on Eduardo Vargas and other key players to get all the points against Ecuador — Eduardo Vargas reacts after Chile’s World Cup 2022 qualifier against Ecuador at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in September

Chile looked in serious danger of failing to qualify for the second World Cup in a row after a disastrous start to qualifying. They recorded just one win in their first 10 games, with five defeats.

However, La Roja have turned things around with a terrific run of World Cup 2022 results. They’ve reeled off three wins in a row to climb up to fourth in the standings. Two of those three wins have come have against Paraguay, while they also beat bottom-side Venezuela 3-0 in between.

Unsurprisingly, the return of Inter Milan striker Alexis Sanchez has made a massive impact on the side. The talismanic 32-year-old featured in all three wins and produced two goals and two assists. He scored the winning goal in Chile’s last match against Paraguay, which raised his record tally to 47 goals.

Sanchez’s presence has helped relieve the pressure from midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is the team’s leading scorer with four goals in qualifying.

Striker Ben Brereton has also stepped up his game with two goals in those three games. However, the Blackburn Rovers striker will be suspended for the Ecuador match after picking up another yellow card against Paraguay.

Eduardo Vargas, who is the country’s second leading scorer behind Alexis with 40 career international goals, is likely to return to the starting lineup in Brereton’s absence. However, the 31-year-old has scored just twice for his country in the last two years.

Ecuador still riding high in the standings

Ecuador’s chances of reaching their fourth World Cup finals in the 21st century are still looking strong. They beat Venezuela last time out thanks to a goal from teenage defender Piero Hincapie to preserve their four-point lead over Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay for third place in the South American standings.

They picked up the big win over Valencia despite missing three key players – captain Angel Mena, wing-back Pervis Estupinian, and top scorer Michael Estrada (five goals in qualifying) – due to suspension. But all three will be back against Chile, which should be a huge boost to La Tricolor.

Estrada’s return to lead the attack will be especially crucial for Ecuador, who are once again without record goalscorer Enner Valencia. The 32-year-old, who has 34 goals in just 67 caps, has three goals in qualifying.

Meanwhile, Estupinian’s return will ease the pressure on 21-year-old Gonzalo Plata in terms of creating chances for Estrada.

On the opposite end of the pitch, coach Gustavo Alfaro will be pleased his side kept another clean sheet, their fifth in the last seven qualifiers. La Tri have the third-best defensive record in South American qualifying, conceding just 13 goals.

History

Chile have consistently had the upper hand over Ecuador in their historical head-to-heads. The Chileans have a 30-12 advantage in terms of wins, with 13 draws.

However, the Ecuadorians have been much more competitive in recent years. Since 2008, Ecuador have claimed five wins over Chile, who have also picked up five wins in that same time.

But the two countries drew their first match in this qualifying campaign 0-0, which was their first draw since another World Cup qualifier in 2005.

Betting Tip

	Chile vs Ecuador	1X2 Draw @ 3.30
	November 17, 8:15 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Chile priced as significant 1.83 favourites, while Ecuador are pegged at 4.30. A draw is at 3.30.

With Alexis currently in fine form, it’s easy to see why Chile look quite capable of extending their winning run. However, Ecuador have shown just how solid they are defensively, and they will not be an easy team to break down.

That is why I am leaning toward a draw in this top-four battle, a result which would suit Ecuador just fine as they look to secure third spot in the standings.