Our prediction for this match:
Guatemala
Match Time & Date:
22/03/2024
02:30
Prediction: 0-2
Ecuador
Guatemala will try to put an end to their five-match winless run in all competitions when they take on Ecuador in a friendly on Friday morning. La Bicolor failed to find the net in the previous four friendly games, which is probably the main reason why bookies see them as underdogs in the Red Bull Arena clash. La Tri, meanwhile, did well to beat Chile 1-0 in their last World Cup qualifier, with the team climbing to 6th place in the standings.
Ecuador are more of a team than Guatemala and seeing that La Tri emerged triumphant in each of their last two meetings with La Bicolor in warm-up games, anything but a routine away win would be a big surprise. All star players Enner Valencia, Moises Caicedo, and Pervis Estupinan made the cut, speaking of the nominal visitor, which is yet another reason why away win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Enner Valencia):
Enner Valencia is a prolific 26-year-old striker who plays for West Ham United in the English Premier League. Nicknamed “Superman”, Valencia started his career with Emelec in 2010. He enjoyed league success with Emelec and was awarded the “Copa Sudamericana Golden Boot” in 2013.
He also played for Pachuca in Mexico winning the Liga MX Golden Boot in 2014. His goal-scoring record and pace caught the attention of West Ham which bought him for an estimated £12 million in July 2014. At international level, Valencia made his debut in 2012 and has represented the country in 24 games so far. He is one of Ecuador’s top ten goal scorers of all time with 14 goals.
He has already represented Ecuador at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Copa America tournaments. Enner Valencia is Ecuador’s joint top scorer – along with Agustin Delgado – in World Cup tournaments with three goals.
Highlighted Team (Ecuador):
Ecuador had endured difficult times in footballing terms having been considered to be one of the more struggling football nations in South America, but the Tri have managed to transform themselves into a team that can never be taken lightly at the international scene.
Ecuador has taken part in three of the 22 World Cups with 12 position they achieved in 2006 in Germany being their best result so far. La Tricolor head into Copa America Centenario tied at the top of CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifying table and their chances of making it through from group B have been increased with good results and alike performances.
Ivan Hurtado played for El Tri since 1992 to 2014 and former centre-back remains the most capped international with 168 games to his name. Ecuador captain Walter Ayovi is the active player with most games in the national team, while Felipe Caicedo with 19 goals is the top scorer of Gustavo Quinteros’ side.
Athletic Bilbao 
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Mallorca
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Cardiff 
Everton
Peterborough
Fulham
Watford 
