Ecuador vs Paraguay Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 08/10/2024, 17:00  by Joseph King | Modified on 08/10/2024 at 17:11 in World Cup Predictions

Matchday nine of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign sees fourth-place Ecuador playing host to seventh-placed Paraguay in Quito on Thursday. An important three points are on the line, so let’s get into the match prediction as La Tri take on La Albirroja.

Ecuador have performed well even in the face of a three-point deduction due to falsifying a player's birth documents. They've won four, drawn two and lost two of their first eight qualifying matches. Their total of 11 points sees them trailing third-place Uruguay by four points and leading both fifth-placed Brazil and sixth-place Venezuela by one point. With the top six places earning automatic qualification, the full three points here could be key.

Last time out, La Tri secured themselves a 1-0 home victory over Peru with record scorer Enner Valencia netting the winner. It was a much-needed response after being winless in their previous three.

After a slow start saw them gain just a single point from their first three 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, Paraguay have turned things around. They’ve now lost just once in their last five qualifying matches, picking up two wins and two draws to raise their points total to nine.

This sees them occupying the intercontinental playoff spot in seventh, giving them a goal differential lead over eighth-place Bolivia and seeing them trail sixth-place by just a single point.

In their last appearance, Paraguay pulled off an upset victory at home as they beat Brazil 1-0. It was their first win in four matches after a disappointing Copa America saw them lose all three group stage games.