Ecuador vs Uruguay World Cup 2018 Qualifiers : Preview, Predictions, Stream, Lineups, Schedule
Uruguay will look to continue its strong World Cup Qualification run on Thursday when it faces Ecuador.
Both sides have been solid through two games in the qualifiers, each accruing six points thus far.
Uruguay got the proceedings started with a 2-0 win over Bolivia in La Paz. Then, a few days later, the team dismantled Colombia at home, winning 3-0. But the most miraculous aspect of the run was that the team did it without Luis Suárez or Edinson Cavani to lead the attack.
Cavani will be back to lead the offense on Thursday, while Suárez finishes out his suspension from biting Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World Cup. Suárez should be available for the next session of qualifiers next year.
Ecuador has been just as good, if not better in the qualifiers thus far. The team stormed Buenos Aires with a shocking 2-0 win in Argentina. Ecuador, which made the 2014 World Cup, was seen as one of the sides that would struggle to qualify for the 2018 tournament. The win in Argentina was a huge statement that this squad should not be taken lightly.
A 2-0 win over Bolivia followed at home, cementing the idea that Ecuador is a strong defensive side that can also score timely goals.
This match is unlikely to offer major sparks offensively, with both sides instead sporting strong defenses and looking excellent on the counter. Uruguay is arguably the best team in the air, with Diego Godín proving to be as dominant as any on the set piece. Ecuador meanwhile is a very fast team that attacks well through the wings.
It should be an entertaining game with a lot of end-to-end movement, though it would be no surprise to see Uruguay park the bus and let Ecuador control possession. If this ends up being the case, then it could be a long night.
Prediction: A 0-0 draw.
Start time: 4 p.m. ET
The game can be viewed on beIN Sports and its online component.
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