Ecuador Vs France: Can Ecuador stop the majestic Les Blues?

The Maracana stadium will host Ecuador vs. France in Rio de Janeiro. Great odds on France, but can they make it 3 wins out of 3 games today?

Ecuador beat Honduras 2-1 last match, after they played pretty good against Switzerland but lost 2-1 in the 90 minute. Enner Valencia was the here with two goals vs. Honduras after he also scored vs. the swiss and Ecuador will hope that he will push them towards qualification today. It will be hard, because Ecuador needs to get the same result as Switzerland does vs. Honduras – and that probably means a win – very tough ask, even if France is already qualified, 99,9% from the first place. Team news: Ecuador misses no players and can use the best lineup.

Ecuador lineup: Dominguez – Paredes, Ayovi, Minda, Guagua – Erazo, Antonio Valencia, Noboa – Enner Valencia, Caicedo, Montero

Les Bleus have been nothing short of unstoppable in 2014. The entered the World Cup in amazing form and after a 8-0 win with Jamaica and played the same quality football in the finals. Two wins and 8-2 goal difference, fantastic flow to the offense and excellent defending also (only goals were allowed in the end of the Switzerland goal at 5-0). I can say France had the biggest impact in the World Cup so far and with their form they are between the favorites to win the whole thing. Team news: Absentees for France are: Cabaye + possibly Koscielny and Sakho. Deschamps will use some rotation also, but still strong team.

France lineup: Lloris – Debuchy, Varane, Koscielny, Evra – Sissoko, Schneiderlein, Matuidi – Benzema, Giroud, Griezmann

France has no motivation and will use a couple of substitutes, but their level of play is excellent and it clearly can be attributed in large part to Deschamps. You sometimes get the feeling that France can play at the same level even with the C-side. I respect Ecuador and I am sure they will give everything on the pitch, they can play football and will probably have some chances, but France is too strong and is deadly when given spaces. Ecuador is not so solid in defense and will have to attack, so I expect France to punish them a few times – maybe towards the end, when Ecuador will probably be disheartened and tired. My tip will be France to win with a 1 goal asian handicap, with a little bit of luck this will be a winning bet – just like Japan – Colombia yesterday, a similar encounter. Correct score prediction: Ecuador – France 1-3.