Betdistrict.com
Group E of the World Cup kicks off on Sunday with the match between Switzerland and Ecuador. France and Honduras are the other two sides in the group. On paper Switzerland and Ecuador will fight for the first place, so this match might well end up deciding the configuration of the group, even if it`s just the first round.
Switzerland under Ottmar Hitzfeld is a very strong team, they play an explosive and dynamic brand of football while also excelling in tactical consistency and discipline. They qualified en-fanfare to the World Cup ahead of Iceland, Slovenia and Norway and have lost just once in the last 18 outings. The swiss are also on the back of 2 consecutive friendly wins against Jamaica and Peru, keeping a clean sheet each time.
Ecuador played impressive football in the South American qualifiers, fending off Uruguay to finish 4th, they could have even finished ahead of Chile with a little bit of luck. However, it was mainly due to a brilliant start, as Ecuador lost it`s rhythm later on and has now won just 2 of the last 14 games, which is not exactly top form for them, and a worrying fact coming into the World Cup. Ecuador does not have the same quality as other South American sides and if they don`t regain that early form they had in the qualies, outplaying Switzerland could be an impossible task.
 |
Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Team news & lineups
Both sides should be able to field their best respective lineups for this game.
Switzerland: Benaglio – Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Schar, Rodriguez – Inler, Behrami, Dzemaili – Barnetta, Drmic, Shaqiri
Ecuador: Dominguez – Ayovi, Guagua, Erazo, Paredes – Montero, Noboa, Castillo, Valencia – Caicedo, Valencia
Switzerland should have too much for Ecuador today. Their Napoli midfield trio of Inler, Behrami and Dzemaili, along with Bayern’s Shaqiri, should easily be able to control the tempo and put pressure on Ecuador. The South Americans are not exactly rock solid in defense, so they will fold under that pressure sooner or later. Switzerland has a better team, better chemistry and tactical discipline, while their form is also superior to their opponents’. I also expect them to outcoach Ecuador, as Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the best managers in the game. I think the odds for Switzerland to win are a little bit off here and I`ll be happy to tip them to get the three points and odds are slightly dropping on this bet. Ecuador is a decent team but does not have too many weapons to do damage in this match. Prediction: Switzerland – Ecuador 2-0.
Pick: Switzerland
Odds: 2.55 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 12.4
Event date: 15 June
