Nice match up in New Jersey as Ecuador meet up with Italy at the Red Bull Arena. Both sides have already played this week in USA. With Italy beating Venezuela 2-1 while Ecuador beat Guatemala 2-0. Italy finished second behind England in their Euro 2024 qualifying group. They had 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. Apart from the win over Venezuela they have only two other friendlies in the last two years. A win in Albania and a loss in Austria. Ecuador sit 5th of 10 teams in the CONMEBOL qualifying league. They have 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss from their 6 games. Very close matches so far with just 8 goals in those games. Friendlies in the last year have seen wins over Australia, Bolivia and Costa Rica and a loss to Australia in what was a double header.
Team rankings:
Italy – World ranked 9 with 1718 ranking points.
Ecuador – World ranked 31 with 1519 ranking points.
Team news: Italy are without defender Francesco Acerbi and midfielder Bryan Cristante. No injury problems for Ecuador.
Coach information: Italy have arguably benefitted from the loss of Mancini who left for the Saudi Arabian riches. Getting Luciano Spelletti was a masterstroke. His style is very fluid and although lately utilizing an attacking 4-3-3 he himself admits that rigid systems no longer exist in football. Ecuador are run by Spaniard Felix Sanchez Bas. He has won the Asian Cup with Qatar and has spent most of his coaching life in the Qatar national youth sides and the senior side. He seems a very technical coach and seems to have hands on at all levels.
Head-to-head statistics: 1 game – 1 win Italy
Betting selection – Both sides are playing well and New Jersey should see an exciting match. I take both teams to score yes at 1.95 Coral