Brazil and Ecuador face off in their opening Group B game in the Copa America 2016 Centenario on Saturday.

Brazil is looking to regain respectability in what has been a rough two years for the Selecao. After enduring an embarrassment on home field in 2014, the team seemed to start forging a new identity under Dunga in 2015. However that all came to a halt in embarrassing fashion as the team lost its cool in the 2015 Copa America, losing to Paraguay in the quarterfinals and capping the year in ignominy.

Brazil enters with uncertainty

This Copa America 2016 could be different though it is already filled with difficulty for the squad. Neymar, the captain and top player of the Brazilian side is not in this competition. Douglas Costa, the second best Brazilian attacker in the world was forced out of the tournament due to injury. His replacement was Kaka but he too has been forced out of the tournament due to an injury.

So now it is Paulo Ganso who is going to be replacing Brazil's top offensive stars. But Ganso is not an offensive star, having never scored for the national side and only scoring nine goals in 101 matches for his club side Sao Paolo.

Brazil's top scorer on the current team? Hulk, who has 12 goals for the national side and had 21 goals for Zenit St. Petersburg.

This Brazilian side will not be quick to strike much fear into the opposition, giving Ecuador a huge opportunity as it opens the tournament.

Ecuador has some strong talent

Ecuador remains an unknown quantity at this point, starting strong in the World Cup qualifiers last fall, but falling off in recent rounds. The current side boasts some solid players, including Enner Valencia, Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero.

History favors Brazil

Brazil has owned Ecuador historically, winning 24 of 29 games; Ecuador has just two victories in this matchup since 1942. Both wins came this century, one in 2001 and another in 2004, both during World Cup qualifiers.

Player to Watch

Hulk is the most dynamic offensive player in this whole game and will be turned to give Brazil a much-needed boost.

Prediction

A 2-2 draw results from a fast paced game between two sides that love using their speed to create chances.

Schedule and Streaming Info

The game starts at 10 p.m. EDT. It can be viewed on Fox Sports 1 or Univision. Those with a FuboTV subscription or Fox Soccer 2 Go subscription can watch the game online.

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