Brazil to brush off the threat of Ecuador
Ecuador take on Brazil at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Thursday afternoon (local time) in the capital Quito. La Tri are currently third in the CONMEBOL standings for qualification to the World Cup in Qatar later this year behind their opponents and Argentina. Any kind of positive result in their own back yard will almost certainly confirm their berth in November. Read our preview here:
Enner the Middle East
Gustavo Alfaro's charges represent the 'best of the rest' on the continent, transitioning well from a lopsided squad built on experience to one that has a large contingent coming into their prime. Striker Enner Valencia is one of the last bastions of the old guard, and he'll be pushing for a start to continue his goal every other game ratio for the national team, while Orlando City's Jhegson Méndez will hope to shore things up at the base of the midfield.
Veni, Vidi, Viní
Tite will accept nothing short of an unbeaten qualification phase on the way to a far better showing in the Middle East when it comes to the crunch than has been the case in recent tournaments. Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has really rose to prominence at the Spanish giants this term, easing the burden from Karim Benzema's shoulders. Dani Alves, back at Barcelona, could roam down the right at the ripe age of 38.
Betting tip
Ecuador are bound to give Brazil a tough time on home soil, as they do to all-comers. However, the visitors have the quality in the likely XI to jump this tricky hurdle, and bet365 have odds of 2.25 for an away win.
