Ecuador vs Curacao Predicted Lineups & Team News

Ecuador and Curacao meet in Kansas City in Group E (Saturday 7pm local, Sunday 1am BST, BBC One) with both sides looking to bounce back from opening game defeats.

Here's the Ecuador vs Curacao predicted lineups and team news...

Ecuador

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia has been nursing a calf issue but managed to play 77 minutes of his side's Group E opener against the Ivory Coast.

The veteran, who is now 36 and who played for West Ham and Everton in the Premier League, was unable to score in the 1-0 defeat but is expected to lead the line against Curacao.

AC Milan left-back Pervis Estupinan could return to La Tri's starting line-up after having to settle for a place on the bench last time out, while Kendry Paez has a knock but could feature from the bench if Ecuador require some creativity.

Curacao

No matter what happens in Curacao's remaining Group E matches, the Blue Wave will always have the moment they scored against heavyweights Germany at the World Cup.

Livano Comenencia was the player to write his name into his nation’s history books, keeping his cool to find the net past Manuel Neuer with his only shot to level the game, and the midfielder will line up again against Ecuador.

Despite going on to lose 7-1, Curacao came out of the game unscathed as far as injuries go and so Juninho and Leandro Bacuna should both start in midfield along with Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong.

Former Swansea City winger Kenji Gorre could feature for Dick Advocaat's side having missed out against Germany after suffering with a knee problem at the end of the domestic season with Maccabi Haifa.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Ecuador vs Curacao Odds over on betfred.com

Key Players

Moises Caicedo (Ecuador)

Ecuador boast one of the meanest defences in football and much of the solidity in the team is down to the tracking, running and tackling of Moises Caicedo in midfield.

La Tri conceded only five goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, no mean feat when coming up against Argentina, Brazil and Colombia.

While Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho, who played in this season's Champions League final, are key at the back together with Joel Ordonez, Caicedo’s impact on the Ecuador backline cannot be overstated.

The Chelsea man made 59 interceptions in the Premier League last season and attempted 87 tackles in 33 appearances. Caicedo reads the game excellently and often snuffs out danger before it reaches the Ecuador defence.

Patrolling the centre of the park, Caicedo will be key for his nation's remaining group games.

Leandro Bacuna (Curacao)

The Curacao captain has 73 caps, the joint-most appearances for the country together with goalkeeper Eloy Room.

Bacuna has scored 16 goals in that time and now aged 34, remains an integral part of the national team set-up under Advocaat.

The former Aston Villa and Cardiff City midfielder helps control the Curacao play, providing a link between the defence and attack while leading by example, combining neat skill with committed tackling.

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com