Qatar v Ecuador: Goals could be in short supply for World Cup opener
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World Cup 2022: Qatar v Ecuador odds, preview and tips
The World Cup gets off to a low-key start on Sunday afternoon when tournament hosts Qatar face Ecuador in Al Kohr.
Qatar are 23/10 in the World Cup betting to win their first ever match at the finals, but the Ecuador winning odds are 13/10.
We’re looking at some of the main talking points and the latest odds for the Qatar v Ecuador game and you can read an in-depth guide to Group A by clicking on the link.
Qatar v Ecuador form
Qatar warmed up for the tournament with a 2-2 draw against Chile followed by four successive victories against Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Albania, so the fans are starting to get excited they can get off to a winning start.
The Qatar League has been suspended since September to help with Felix Sanchez’s preparations which have been spent in training camps in Spain and Austria.
Qatar won their first trophy in 2019 when they beat Japan in the Asian Cup and reached the semi-finals of last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, so they are on an upward trajectory and will be relying on Almoez Ali and Akram Afif to fire them to three points in their opener.
They’re back home! 🫶🇶🇦#AllForAlAnnabi#ForTheLoveOfQatarpic.twitter.com/YzQrsasQ09
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) November 14, 2022
Ecuador finished fourth in their South American qualifying group to secure a place at their fourth World Cup, although a controversy surrounding the nationality of right-back Byron Castillo meant their participation was only confirmed recently by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
La Tri drew with both Brazil and Argentina in home qualifiers but warmed up for the World Cup with three successive 0-0 draws against Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iraq, with the only goal scored in their last five friendlies a 1-0 win against Cabo Verde.
Under 1.5 goals at World Cup odds of 33/20 looks the way to go for Qatar v Ecuador.
Qatar v Ecuador head to head
The teams met twice in the space of eight days in 1996 when the teams drew 1-1 in their opening game before Ecuador won 2-1 a week later.
However, their third and final encounter came just four years ago when Ali scored twice and Afif once in a 4-3 victory against the South Americans who had Enner Valencia sent off in stoppage time having got his team back into the game with a second-half double.
The World Cup hosts to win by a one-goal margin again can be backed at 18/5 in the Qatar v Ecuador betting.
Qatar v Ecuador team news
Sanchez’s squad has been picked solely from players in the Qatar Stars League, but Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro is leaving it until the last minute before he names his 26 players.
Qatar v Ecuador goalscorer odds
Al-Duhail captain Ali has scored 42 goals in 85 appearances for Qatar and netted the winner from the penalty spot against Panama, so he looks like a potential goalscorer in our Qatar v Ecuador betting tips.
Afi has struck 26 times in 89 games for his country and was the top scorer at both the 2019 Asian Cup and 2021 Gold Cup which makes him one of Qatar’s dangermen for Sunday.
Toluca striker Michael Estrada, on loan at Mexican side Cruz Azul following a temporary spell in MLS with Wayne Rooney’s DC United, is the main threat for Ecuador, but former West Ham and Everton forward Valencia is still cutting it at Fenerbahce and is one to watch.
Match Info
Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
When: 16:00, Sunday 20th November
How to watch: BBC
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
