Mexico vs Ecuador Prediction: Tense affair expected in Mexico

Mexico are looking to continue their perfect start to the World Cup as they host Ecuador in their first knockout tie of the tournament. This one comes from Estadio Banorte in Mexico City (Tuesday 7pm local, Wednesday 2am BST, ITV 1), and the hosts will hope to win just their second World Cup knockout game in their history.

Read on for my Mexico vs Ecuador Predictions featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Javier Aguirre will be able to name his strongest XI in this one as he rested a couple of key players in the final group game against Czech Republic.

Raul Jimenez was one of those but he will come in to play up top, Edson Alvarez will anchor the midfield while Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez will continue their partnership at centre-back.

World Cup Odds

Sebastien Beccacece is unlikely to change his XI after they put in a superb display against Germany. However, Piero Hincapie went off injured and will need to be assessed at left back. 

Enner Valencia has handed Moises Caicedo the captaincy but may still play up front with heroic goalscorer Gonzalo Plata.

Mexico vs Ecuador Odds

Mexico are the favourites to win this one in 90 minutes, priced at 6/5, while an Ecuador win is 11/4 in normal time. A draw which would force an extra 30 minutes is 15/8.

Mexico are just 8/15 to win the tie, while over 2.5 goals in 90 minutes is 13/8 and there are plenty of Price Boosts for this match which you can find on the link above.

Under 1.5 goals (in 90 mins) @ 6/5

It is remarkable that across their World Cup history, Mexico have only won one knockout game at a World Cup, the 2-0 win over Bulgaria back in 1986 - a tournament also hosted by El Tri. Anyway to this pick, and apologies to any fans in Europe staying up to the small hours to watch this one, but I don’t think it is going to be a classic.

Ecuador’s defence took the headlines in qualifying as they conceded just five times in 18 matches against some of the finest attacks on the planet, and those qualifiers averaged just 1.05 goals per game.

Two of their three group games had one goal or fewer, while they’ve shared two draws with Mexico, 0-0 and 1-1 in their last two meetings. This should be another tense affair with neither side set to open up too much, with Mexico keeping three clean sheets from three in their group.

Alan Franco to be booked (Sub Switch) @ 5/2

Alan Franco has started each of Ecuador’s matches so far, at the right of a back three, or at right back in a back four. He made three fouls before being taken off in the opener, made one foul vs Curacao and then made two fouls and was booked in the win over Germany.

Up against Mexico’s bright spark Julian Quinones, I expect him to be tested several times and commit a few fouls in the process. I think he’s a cracking price to pick up a yellow card.

Betfred's Sub Switch offer rolls your bet to the oncoming substitute, so you stay in the game, even when your player doesn’t.