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Both Ecuador and Curacao have a chance to put their first points on the board at the World Cup in Group E in Kansas City on Sunday morning.
Ecuador narrowly lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their opener, while debutants Curacao were thumped 7-1 by Germany.
Ecuador will be strong favourites to turn their result around here, but Curacao will want to put in a strong performance after shipping seven goals on their debut.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Ecuador vs. Curacao key stats
- Ecuador's defeat ended a 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W8, D11).
- Curacao have lost four of their last five internationals (W1).
- Ecuador are unbeaten in their previous 11 H2Hs against CONCACAF nations (W6, D5).
Ecuador vs. Curacao preview: La Tri to get back on track?
| Ecuador | vs | Curacao |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | FIFA Ranking | 82 |
| Enner Valencia (106) | Most Caps | Eloy Room, Leandro Bacuna (73) |
| Enner Valencia (49) | Most Goals | Leandro Bacuna (16) |
| 786 | Total Caps | 634 |
| 95 | Total Goals | 73 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Ecuador will have been disappointed to lose late on against Ivory Coast, who rank 10 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
That ended a 19-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, and La Tri will be aiming to recover quickly.
Built on a strong defence, Sebastian Beccacece will now want to his side not just to win, but ideally score a few past a vulnerable Curacao backline.
Ecuador have no fresh concerns in their squad, but after blanking against Ivory Coast, may be persuaded to change up the frontline.
As for Curacao, despite their 7-1 drubbing to Germany, they at least made history by scoring their first-ever World Cup goal.
Dick Advocaat also became the oldest manager at a World Cup finals, but his focus will now be on trying to get the Blue Wave at least their first-ever World Cup point.
Realistically, given their vastly inferior goal difference, they may need to pick up four points from their final two fixtures.
Curacao will be underdogs again here, and will have their strongest possible XI available again to try and pull off a shock result.
Ecuador vs. Curacao form guide & betting tips
| Ecuador | vs | Curacao |
|---|---|---|
DDWWL |
Form | LLLWL |
| 7 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 18 |
L |
World Cup 2026 | L |
Whispers predicts: Ecuador 3-0 Curacao
Ecuador are heavy 1/7 (1.14) favourites to win, but while we agree with the bookies, these odds are far too short for us to back.
Handicap betting could therefore come into play here, and Ecuador to win (-2 handicap) at 23/20 (2.15) could be worth backing given Curacao's last three defeats have been by three or more goals.
John Yeboah was lively for Ecuador without scoring against Ivory Coast, and in recent starts for his country he has produced one goal and two assists.
Yeboah to score or assist at 7/10 (1.70) therefore has a decent chance of coming through in our eyes.
Ecuador's last win was a 3-0 victory against Guatemala earlier this month, and Correct score – 3-0 at 5/1 (6.00) is our final punt.
> Yeboah to score or assist at 7/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Ecuador to win (-2 handicap) at 23/20 (2.15) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 3-0 at 5/1 (6.00) | Likelihood: Outsider