World Cup
2008-06-18 - Ecuador vs Colombia
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Ecuador
Ecuador find themselves in 8th position in the qualifying table and, more importantly, 4 points behind the team in 4th in the final qualifying spot. They have compiled a 1-1-3 record after 5 games 7 goals scored and 13 conceded. Ecuador have won 1 and lost 1 of their 2 home games so far.
Ecuador had an embarrassing start to their campaign this year and have been playing catch up ever since. After being shocked with a 0-1 home loss to Venezuala, the Ecuador team was humbled with consecutive heavy defeats at Brazil (0-5) and Paraguay (1-5). The last 2 results were markedly improved with a 5-1 home win over Peru followed by a hard earned 1-1 draw at Argentina. It took a last minute goal from Palacio to prevent Ecuador taking all 3 points from that game.
The local media in Ecuador were understandably proud of their team for coming so close to the upset win over Argentina and it seems to have invigorated their campaign. Goalkeeper Jose Cevallos has targeted a win over Colombia here to get the ball rolling on their path to qualify for the World Cup in 2010.
Edison Mendez and Jayro Campos will be put through their paces as they look to pass a fitness test to take their places in the side. They are both expected to start and Ecuador should play an unchanged line up from the game against Argentina.
Colombia
Colombia have made a solid start to their qualifying campaign but do not seem to have the same flair as the teams in the early 90s did. They have compiled a 2-3-0 record after 5 games but have only scored 4 goals in those games. On the other hand, they have only conceded 2 goals. Colombia have drawn both of their away games so far but have only scored 1 and conceded 1 in those games.
Colombia started their campaign with a 0-0 home draw with Brazil and followed it with another at Bolivia. They then won consecutive home games against Venezuala (1-0) and Argentina (2-1), the latter after being 0-1 down at half time. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw at Peru.
Colombia had a deserved lead in their game with Peru, but were fortunate to escape with a draw after the Peruvians played well in the 2nd half.
Cristian Zapata is out after fracturing his cheekbone last weekend. Estiven Velez is another player who is forced to miss the game through injury. Colombia are also expected to make a couple more changes to their team for this game, with Radamel Falcao Garcia likely to come into the side.
Head to Head
Ecuador and Colombia have met 8 times since 2000. Colombia have won 3 of those games, with Ecuador only winning once.
Only 2 of those games have taken place in Ecuador and Colombia failed to win either of them. Both were World Cup Qualifying matches and the first ended 0-0. The other saw Ecuador win 2-1.
Prediction
Colombia have not played so well on their travels and have played the 2 weakest teams in the table. They were lucky to escape with a point against Peru last weekend, and this is going to be a tougher game.
Ecuador almost beat Argentina in Buenos Aires and have a lot of confidence after gaining 4 points from their last 6 after losing 3 in a row.
Ecuador can get right back into the qualification mix with a win here and I expect them to do just that.
The Pick :
Ecuador 2-1 Colombia
