France has been one of the best teams in Brazil ahead of their World Cup Group E finale against Ecuador, who might need to win this game in order to get through to the next round, depending on what happens in Switzerland-Honduras. Do they press forward and go for goals, but risk getting carved up by the French? It’ll be interesting to see their approach for this game.
World Cup Odds: France -125, Ecuador +365, Draw +265
Why Ecuador Can Win
Ecuador has a striker in Enner Valencia who is in blistering form at the moment and his two goals to carry his country to a huge 2-1 win over Honduras were his sixth and seventh in his last six games for Ecuador. He is currently playing in Mexico, but the 25-year-old should be getting offers from Europe as soon as the World Cup is over because who doesn’t need a goal-scorer? While most of the attention coming into the tournament was on the shoulders of captain Antonio Valencia (of no relation), Enner has been the most important player on the team.
But we can’t warn Ecuador enough: they have to stay organized at the back. They made a few mistakes against Honduras that France would punish multiple times, but Ecuador might have to go forward. Ecuador has to be careful or this will get ugly, considering the mood the French are in right now.
Why France Can Win
While everyone was talking about how Franck Ribery would be missed for France, the team was busy putting together a trio of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Valbuena that can run with any team in the tournament. All three scored in their 5-2 win over Switzerland, and they all had assists; Benzema had two and could have had another goal if he hadn’t missed a penalty. When France breaks, they can stretch you out with three players than can set up and score, and you don’t know who to cover. With Group E well in hand because of a goal difference of six (one better than the Netherlands), France doesn’t have to attack as much, but they will because why not?
France has to avoid injuries in this game, that should be their biggest worry. They don’t have to play their best players for 90 minutes, but they also don’t want to lose any confidence. It’ll be interesting to see how willing they are to keep their foot on the gas.
Outlook
This will be the second meeting for Ecuador and France, who won 2-0 in a friendly back in 2008, but there is obviously much more on the line on Wednesday. Ecuador will be watching the scoreboard of Switzerland and Honduras as they were tied with the Swiss, but they do have a two-goal lead in goal difference. Still, they can’t sit back because the French will come at them in waves and they might not have enough left to get the three points they really need.
Pick: France
