Two teams that don’t have much World Cup experience will kick off Group E in Brazil as Ecuador takes on Switzerland, and Ecuador’s crowd support could tip the scales in their favor.
World Cup Odds: Switzerland +150, Ecuador +220, Draw +205
Why Switzerland Can Win
Switzerland is a disciplined team that can frustrate the opposition in their half of the pitch. Keeper Diego Benaglio has 57 caps and has played in Germany against some high-level competition, and his defenders have experience as well, along with Gokhan Inler, who plays in Italy and will sit in front of the defense. His partner in midfield is Valon Behrami, who also plays alongside Inler at Napoli and first you have to even make past this duo to get to the defense. Switzerland isn’t a team that is going to go back and forth with the opposition and while this can be frustrating to play against (and watch), it allows the Swiss a chance to hit on the counter, and Inler is very good at starting the break.
The Swiss need someone to step up and put away the chances they can create, and it looks like that will fall to Josip Drmic, who has just seven caps, but three goals and the 21-year-old will look to burst onto the scene in Brazil.
Why Ecuador Can Win
Ecuador is also a counterattacking team, but they will be more comfortable in Brazil as they will have loads of crowd support. This is just their third showing at the World Cup, but their third in a row and Ecuador is building up a sense of identity. They are going to try to use the wings as much as possible with captain Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero roam the flanks, and they’ll get the ball to Felipe Caicedo up front. Christian Noboa is another player to watch out for as he plays in Russia and if Ecuador is going to attack through the middle, Noboa will have a lot to do with it.
You cannot ignore the boost that Ecuador’s fans can give them, especially in this, the first game of the tournament. When it comes to homefield advantage, it has been shown that it is the most prevalent in soccer, and while the Swiss will have some support, Ecuador should have more and that will push them into playing a more attacking style than they would anywhere else.
Outlook
The Swiss are favored in their first-ever meeting with Honduras, and there is a lot on the line in this Group E opener. This could be the game that pushes someone into pole position for a spot in the next round and even though France is still the favorite in the group, with Franck Ribery now out of the World Cup, is winning the group really out of the realm of possibility?
Ecuador will come out on the front foot and while it will be a nervous game to start out, it should open up and that favors the South Americans.
Pick: Ecuador
