Ecuador vs Italy Prediction: Azzurri can sign off with a win

After grinding out a 2-1 win over Venezuela on Thursday in Florida, Italy conclude their brief tour of the USA with a fixture against Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on Sunday. 

Italy are preparing for their Euro 2024 campaign with this trip to America and Ecuador are gearing up for the Copa America, which is being hosted by the USA.

This may be an exhibition game but both sides are looking to hit some form before their respective tournament commitments this summer and this should be a fairly competitive friendly fixture.

The European big guns had to dig deep to claim a 2-1 win over Venezuela earlier this week but they are in solid form with five wins and just one defeat across their last eight games. 

Ecuador are unbeaten in six, winning four of those games, and their only defeat in their last 10 has been a 1-0 reverse against world champions Argentina in an away qualifier. Below you can find our Ecuador vs Italy prediction.

Team News

Italy came out of their win over Venezuela unscathed but boss Luciano Spalletti is likely to tinker with his side for this second test against South American opposition.

Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Giacomo Raspadori featured as substitutes in Florida and could come into the starting side.

Ecuador left out some of their big names for their 2-0 friendly success over Guatemala on Thursday and the likes of Bragantino’s Leonardo Realpe, Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan, Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie should come into the team for this game.

Match Odds

Italy are the favourites to win at 23/20, while Ecuador can be backed at 5/2 and a draw is 11/5.

Both teams to score is 10/11 and over 2.5 goals, which has been a winning bet in five of Italy’s last six games, is available at 6/5.

Italy to win @ 23/20 

Italy look very backable at an odds-against price here despite their laboured performance against Venezuela.

The Azzurri improved as that game wore on and have had a few extra days to work with each other ahead of this game, and they should benefit from plenty of support in New Jersey.

The European side are in fine form with five wins across their last eight games and they’ve beaten some strong teams during that run, including the Netherlands and the Ukraine, and they may have a bit too much for this Ecuador outfit.

The South Americans are in good form themselves but they do tend to be low scorers, hitting just three goals in total across their last four games, and that could be their undoing here against a resolute Italian backline.

This looks like the kind of game where one goal may be enough to win it, and Italy have a bit more firepower at their disposal.

Mateo Retegui to score anytime @ 21/10  

Mateo Retegui produced an exceptional display against Venezuela as he scored both of Italy’s goals and that should see him keep his starting spot.

The Genoa forward tends to do his best work at international level as he has five goals in just six games for his country, and he can add to his haul against Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.