World Cup Qualifier: Colombia Calls For A Big Performance In Ecuador

Ecuador vs Colombia

South American heavyweights Colombia head to Ecuador on Tuesday and the star studded visitors need a result.

World Cup: Ecuador vs Colombia is a fascinating clash between one nation delighted with its early performances in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, and another which is seriously disappointed. The hosts have made a good start and sit third in the South American table, behind Brazil and Argentina and ahead of Uruguay and Chile.

But in contrast Colombia arrive in Ecuador on the back of their worst showing in recent memory.

Talking Points

Colombia owe their boss a performance

Los Cafeteras lost 0-3 at home to Uruguay last time out and it was something of a shambles from start to finish. Head coach Carlos Queiroz will demand a response but he needs his captain and best player to turn up. Everton midfielder James Rodriguez has made a good impression in the Premier League, but a recent injury has slowed his momentum and he put in a woeful effort in Friday’s capitulation.

Colombia has become a force to be reckoned with under Queiroz and they made a decent start to this campaign, beating Venezuela 3-0; but a 2-2 draw against Chile started to reveal some cracks and by the time Los Cafeteras met Uruguay they were a shadow of the team which impressed at World Cup Russia 2018.

James lost the ball in midfield, leading to Uruguay’s second goal and he will want to make an impact to show his worth in the Ecuador vs Colombia highlights. In his previous outing he had a quiet game in Everton’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United, so he is due a performance.

While James makes Colombia tick, there are plenty of other top class players in their ranks, from goalkeeper David Ospina, through to centre back pairing of Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina, a creative winger in Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado and a potent front pairing. Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata have been part of a free-scoring Atalanta team which has lit up Serie A over the past couple of seasons and Muriel already has two goals to his name in this qualifying campaign.

World Cup: Yerry Mina received a red card in Colombia's 0-3 defeat vs Uruguay — Colombia’s Yerry Mina in action against Uruguay’s Luis Suarez

Colombia will be without the threat from corners that Mina provides, as the Everton centre back was red carded to compound Colombia’s problems against Uruguay.

Ecuador has form against the big guns

The hosts may not be blessed with the most famous names in South American football, but they have shown they are happy to go toe to toe with their more illustrious rivals; and the visit of James and co won’t worry them. The Ecuador vs Colombia betting odds place Gustavo Alfaro’s men as marginal favourites at a price of 2.54 here at SBOTOP.

And no wonder when you see how they have coped with the big teams they have encountered so far. They started with a 1-0 reversal to Argentina and followed that up with an impressive 4-2 victory over Uruguay. Inspired by skipper and top scorer Enner Valencia they took the first 14 shots of that match as Toluca striker Michael Estrada helped himself to a brace. Moises Caicedo was on target too and 20 year old Gonzalo Plata scored his second goal in six caps.

Ecuador followed that up with a 3-2 victory over Bolivia and will back themselves to make it three wins on the bounce. But Colombia will be aware that they face an inexperienced defence, San Paulo’s Robert Artboleda is the most experienced defender with 19 caps.

History

Ecuador have qualified three times for the World Cup finals, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006, and have won fourth place in the Copa America on two occasions.

Colombia have emerged as a strong presence in world football recently, making the World Cup Quarter Finals in 2014 and the Round of 16 in 2018, also winning the Copa America in 2001.

The head to head results favour the visitors; Colombia have won eight of the 13 meetings since 2004, with Ecuador winning three and there have been two draws. The last game ended in a 1-0 victory for Los Cafeteras thanks to a goal from Mateus Uribe.

Ecuador have failed to beat Colombia on the last four occasions but they have won their last three on home soil.

Betting Tip

	Ecuador vs Colombia	Over 2.25 @ 1.95
	November 18, 05:00 (GMT+8)

Ecuador are marginal favourites at 2.54, with Colombia at 2.79 and the draw available at 3.05.

But I would expect a reaction from Colombia and I see goals in this game. The last four matches featuring these two teams, over the previous two rounds, have all yielded over 2.50 goals and both will be gunning for a win on Tuesday

2-1 to Ecuador is at 9.25 while a 1-2 in Colombia’s favour is available at 9.75.