Morocco vs Ecuador Prediction: La Tri to beat Afcon champions in Madrid

Morocco were recently crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions two months after being beaten by Senegal in the final, but, as the Afcon drama continues to rumble on, the Atlas Lions must now prepare for the summer’s World Cup and face Ecuador on Friday at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid (21:15 local, 20:15 GMT).

The North Africans will be hopeful of progress from a World Cup group containing Brazil, Scotland and Haiti and it will be interesting to see how they shape up under new boss Mohamed Ouahbi. Ecuador have been housed in a section containing Germany, Ivory Coast and Curacao and La Tri will also have high hopes this summer. Here are my Morocco vs Ecuador predictions, the latest team news and Betfred's odds.

Team News

Rayane Bounida, who had previously represented Belgium at youth level, has been named in Morocco’s first squad under new manager Ouahbi.

Fulham centre-back Issa Diop is another player called up by the Atlas Lions.

Young midfielder Ederson Castillo has received his first call-up for the Ecuador national team, with the 17-year-old reportedly a target for Manchester United.

Football Odds

Morocco vs Ecuador Odds

Morocco are 6/4 to win at the Metropolitano, which reflects their form which had seen them go unbeaten in 23 games before that Afcon final loss to Senegal.

You can back Ecuador at 15/8 and the draw is a 2/1 shot. Over 2.5 goals is available at 13/8.

Both Teams to Score is a 6/5 shot, but that has come up in only three of Morocco's last 19 matches.

Today's Football Fixtures

Ecuador to Win @ 15/8

Morocco are 6/4 favourites on neutral ground against Ecuador, but that rating looks wide of the mark.

Clearly it’s difficult to compare the two nations given their different confederations, and the Atlas Lions are the kings of Africa.

However, Ecuador are a progressive side who may well shock a few teams at this summer’s World Cup.

The Tri are unbeaten in their last 15 matches and that last defeat was a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil. Since then, Ecuador have beaten Argentina and Colombia and avoided defeat in matches against Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Sebastian Beccacece’s young, progressive and high-quality squad includes excellent performers Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan, while there are also the wildcard talents of Kendry Paez and Nilson Angulo.

At 15/8, Ecuador look far too big in this spot.

Ecuador to Win to Nil @ 16/5

There is a low goal expectancy in Spain, with under 2.5 a 1/2 chance, but it could pay to double down on Ecuador.

The Tri have conceded just five goals in their last 17 matches and that is a rock-solid defensive effort.

Estupinan, Pacho and Hincapie are top-level defenders playing for three of Europe’s elite clubs and they are expertly shielded by Caicedo.

Morocco failed to score in the Afcon final and semi-final, with the Atlas Lions often sleeping in front of goal.

Ecuador look a huge price to Win to Nil in Madrid.

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