Ecuador Football Soccer National Team Odds to Win Group E

Ecuador is the third choice in the betting to win Group E at the 2014 World Cup. The good news for Ecuador is that they can score and that they play in one of the weaker groups in the World Cup. The bad news is that the team is not very good and that they have trouble defending.

Ecuador is listed at 4-1 to win Group E in World Cup odds at BetPhoenix sportsbook. That is behind France and Switzerland but ahead of Honduras. Ecuador was really good at home during World Cup qualifying but they didn’t win anything on the road. It is hard to see how they will pick up points in Brazil other than in the match against Honduras.

Team Notes

Ecuador has a good scorer in Jefferson Montero who scored three goals in qualifying. They also have Felipe Caicedo who plays for Lokomotiv Moscow. Ecuador is led by their captain Walter Ayovi who plays in the midfield. He was the only player to play every minute in qualifying. The team also has Antonio Valencia from Manchester United. Ecuador is well coached by Reinaldo Rueda who led Honduras to the 2010 World Cup.

Ecuador made the World Cup for the first time in 2002 when they finished last in their group. They did better in 2006 when they won two matches to get out of the group stage.

Heavy Hearts

Ecuador will be playing with heavy hearts as they lost forward Christian Benitez last July as he died from heart failure. Coach Rueda dedicated making the World Cup to Benitez. "Christian will always be in our hearts and our minds, wherever we go," said captain Antonio Valencia.

World Cup Picks

There is no doubt that Ecuador can score but they can’t stop quality opponents. They were down 4-0 against Germany in a friendly before losing 4-2. They were routed 4-0 by Argentina in the qualifiers. They should beat Honduras but I can’t see them getting past France or Switzerland to advance out of the group stage.

Schedule

15 June 2014

Switzerland vs. Ecuador, Estadio Nacional, Brasilia

20 June 2014

Honduras vs. Ecuador, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba

25 June 2014

Ecuador vs. France, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro