Ivory Coast vs Ecuador Bet Builder Tips: 119/1 for tense stalemate

We’ve got an intriguing Group E clash coming our way at 12am BST on Monday morning, (7pm Sunday local) as Ivory Coast face Ecuador in the battle of the dark horses. 

This one takes place in Philadelphia and with the Rocky themetune ringing in my ears, below you can find my Ivory Coast vs Ecuador Bet Builder Tips.

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador Odds

Correct Score - 0-0

If you’ve read any of my previous previews on Ecuador, you will know exactly what I’m expecting from Sebastian Beccacece’s men. They only conceded five goals in 18 South American qualifying matches, which is a simply ridiculous record. 

Their back four of Joel Ordonez (Club Brugge), Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Willian Pacho (Paris St-Germain) and Pervis Estupinan (AC Milan), speaks for itself while they are protected by Moises Caicedo, one of the best players in the world. 

They have been rock-solid but do struggle at the other end of the pitch, as Enner Valencia continues to plug away as their most dangerous threat. In the heat of Philadelipa, this is likely to be a tough test for both sides. 

Ivory Coast also didn’t concede in their qualifying group and so instead of backing under 2.5 goals, I’m going one step further and backing a 0-0. We’ve got the best defence in South America against the best defence in Africa - and that screams like a 0-0 stalemate to me. 

Ibrahim Sangare and Moises Caicedo to be carded

I’m not expecting goals in this one, but I am expecting several cards for both sides. I think this will be a brutal affair, with plenty of tactical fouls, and I’m expecting the referee to have to get busy with the cards. 

Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare should start as the destroyer in midfield for Ivory Coast, and he picked up five yellows in 28 Premier League games for Forest. He is going to be tasked with stopping Ecuador, while going the other way, Caicedo is going to have to be breaking up attacks from Ivory Coast. 

He racked up 11 yellows in 33 cards for Chelsea this term, and is not shy at making a foul or two, averaging 1.70 fouls per 90 in the Premier League. I fancy these two to get booked in this opening game.

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Enner Valencia 1+ shot on target 

Ecuador’s 36-year-old captain Valencia is the country’s record goalscorer with 49 goals in 105 caps, and he has six World Cup goals to his name. He got six in qualifying as well, just two fewer than Lionel Messi, and will be keen to get his shots off again here. 

He’s averaged 1.32 shots on target per game this season, and I think he can get another one here. 

Bet Builder pays 119/1

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Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.