Prediction: Argentina vs Ecuador
Verdict: Argentina win and under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
Argentina, who are looking to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a declaration of intent early on Friday, will host Ecuador in Buenos Aires.
ArgentinaStarting with the hosts, who made real history in the Middle East last winter by securing their first World Cup crown since 1986, Argentina are in the midst of what has been a record commotion. Continuing to receive a round of applause under Lionel Scaloni, La Albiceleste will simply aim to make a first qualifying statement here. Continuing on their remarkable purple patch since opening in 2023, the South American giants are certainly finding the mood in their camp at a searing level. After capping their pre-qualifying streak with a routine 2-0 win over Indonesia on June 19, Argentina have now won each of their last 10 consecutive appearances in all competitions. Likewise, despite opening their winter World Cup with an infamous 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, it's worth pointing out that this is the only loss the hosts on Friday have suffered in from one of their previous 47 consecutive appearances - a streak that runs through July 2019.
Team News
Continuing his remarkable run of goals since joining Inter Miami this summer and having already netted 11 goals in all competitions, seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi will spearhead the team Argentina here. Likewise, the American duo of Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) and Alan Velasco (FC Dallas) have also been included in Scaloni's squad this month.
Premier League stars such as Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero will also be in attendance this weekend.
EcuadorAs for the visitors, who endured a frustrating World Cup campaign in Qatar this winter as they missed the chance to claim a ticket to the Round of 16, Ecuador have since come back strong. Not showing any real signs of a hangover since opening in 2023, La Tri opens its qualifying adventure in the midst of a recent relaunch. Ending their pre-qualifying preparations with a routine 3-1 win over Costa Rica, Felix Sanchez Bas's side have won each of their last three friendlies by an aggregate score of 6-2. However, while Ecuador may still sniff out an opportunity to land another automatic World Cup ticket, Friday's guests will know they face a tough opener this weekend. . including a 3-0 drumbeat on their last trip to Argentina in July 2021, Bas's men have won just one of their last 11 meetings against the reigning world champions.
Team News
Making a record £115m move to Premier League giants Chelsea this summer, Moises Caicedo will start in the heart of Bas's midfield in Buenos Aires. Likewise, veteran striker and former West Ham star Enner Valencia will once again lead Ecuador's charge in the early hours of Friday.
Impressive this season with the Belgian team of Club Brugge, Joel Ordonez, 19, should win a first senior selection here.
Key Factors to Consider When Argentina last hosted Ecuador in July 2021, the reigning world champions won 3-0. Likewise, the hosts on Friday have suffered just one loss in any of their previous 11 consecutive encounters against La Tri. Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has scored 11 goals in all formats since joining Inter Miami in the summer. Ecuador have managed to claim just one win in one of their last seven World Cup qualifying appearances on foreign soil. Argentina remarkably lost one of their previous 47 consecutive appearances - a streak dating back to July 2019.Conclusion
Continuing to build on their winter World Cup success, Argentina should sniff out an opportunity to make a first qualifying statement here. Having won each of their last 10 consecutive competitions in all formats and having suffered only one defeat since July 2019, the South American giants will be excited about a return to Buenos Aires in the early hours of Friday. After winning a routine 3-0 in Ecuador's last home two years ago, we expect a similar result.
Verdict: Argentina win and under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
Verdict: Argentina win and under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
Argentina, who are looking to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a declaration of intent early on Friday, will host Ecuador in Buenos Aires.
ArgentinaStarting with the hosts, who made real history in the Middle East last winter by securing their first World Cup crown since 1986, Argentina are in the midst of what has been a record commotion. Continuing to receive a round of applause under Lionel Scaloni, La Albiceleste will simply aim to make a first qualifying statement here. Continuing on their remarkable purple patch since opening in 2023, the South American giants are certainly finding the mood in their camp at a searing level. After capping their pre-qualifying streak with a routine 2-0 win over Indonesia on June 19, Argentina have now won each of their last 10 consecutive appearances in all competitions. Likewise, despite opening their winter World Cup with an infamous 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, it's worth pointing out that this is the only loss the hosts on Friday have suffered in from one of their previous 47 consecutive appearances - a streak that runs through July 2019.
Team News
Continuing his remarkable run of goals since joining Inter Miami this summer and having already netted 11 goals in all competitions, seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi will spearhead the team Argentina here. Likewise, the American duo of Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) and Alan Velasco (FC Dallas) have also been included in Scaloni's squad this month.
Premier League stars such as Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero will also be in attendance this weekend.
EcuadorAs for the visitors, who endured a frustrating World Cup campaign in Qatar this winter as they missed the chance to claim a ticket to the Round of 16, Ecuador have since come back strong. Not showing any real signs of a hangover since opening in 2023, La Tri opens its qualifying adventure in the midst of a recent relaunch. Ending their pre-qualifying preparations with a routine 3-1 win over Costa Rica, Felix Sanchez Bas's side have won each of their last three friendlies by an aggregate score of 6-2. However, while Ecuador may still sniff out an opportunity to land another automatic World Cup ticket, Friday's guests will know they face a tough opener this weekend. . including a 3-0 drumbeat on their last trip to Argentina in July 2021, Bas's men have won just one of their last 11 meetings against the reigning world champions.
Team News
Making a record £115m move to Premier League giants Chelsea this summer, Moises Caicedo will start in the heart of Bas's midfield in Buenos Aires. Likewise, veteran striker and former West Ham star Enner Valencia will once again lead Ecuador's charge in the early hours of Friday.
Impressive this season with the Belgian team of Club Brugge, Joel Ordonez, 19, should win a first senior selection here.
Key Factors to Consider When Argentina last hosted Ecuador in July 2021, the reigning world champions won 3-0. Likewise, the hosts on Friday have suffered just one loss in any of their previous 11 consecutive encounters against La Tri. Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has scored 11 goals in all formats since joining Inter Miami in the summer. Ecuador have managed to claim just one win in one of their last seven World Cup qualifying appearances on foreign soil. Argentina remarkably lost one of their previous 47 consecutive appearances - a streak dating back to July 2019.Conclusion
Continuing to build on their winter World Cup success, Argentina should sniff out an opportunity to make a first qualifying statement here. Having won each of their last 10 consecutive competitions in all formats and having suffered only one defeat since July 2019, the South American giants will be excited about a return to Buenos Aires in the early hours of Friday. After winning a routine 3-0 in Ecuador's last home two years ago, we expect a similar result.
Verdict: Argentina win and under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker:
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