Ecuador vs Senegal: Predicted Line-up, injury news, head-to-head

Both the teams are still in contention for a place in the knockout stages.

The Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2022 is up for grabs for everyone in the third round. Netherlands stands first with four points whereas Ecuador and Senegal are at three points each. Surprisingly for the first time ever in World Cup history, the hosts Qatar are out of the tournament.

Ecuador started the FIFA World Cup 2022 with a dominant win against Qatar. It is also possible that Qatar can upset everyone because they are yet to win in the tournament.

Kickoff: 8:30 pm (IST), 3:00 pm (GMT)

Ecuador form (All competitions) : D D D W D

Senegal form (All competitions): W W D L W

Players To Watch:

Enner Valencia:

Every team requires an experienced player, especially in a competition like the World Cup. Enner Valencia is set to play his second World Cup for Ecuador. The 33-year-old previously played in the 2014 World Cup and scored all of three Ecuador's goals. Valencia opened the scoring for Ecuador in the first fixture of the FIFA World Cup. He's the top scorer for Ecuador scoring 38 goals. Enner also scored the equalising goal in the last match against Netherlands.

Boulaye Dia :

The Salernitana centre-forward is making a name for himself in both the Serie A and the World Cup as well. Dia has managed to score six goals and has 2 assists in 14 Serie A appearances. Boulaye Dia is playing at his first World Cup ever. The centre-forward also scored his first World Cup goal against Qatar. In the absence of Sadio Mane, Senegal's attack can certainly thrive in a much-needed win against Ecuador.

Injury and Team News :

Ecuador's star player and top scorer Enner Valencia picked up an injury in the first match against Qatar. The injury took a rough turn in the match against Netherlands as he left the match on a stretcher. However, it is sure that Valencia will face Senegal especially when his nation needs him the most.

Senegal on the other hand will face Ecuador without any injury concerns.

Head-to-head stats:

Senegal beat Ecuador in their last two friendly matches.

Matches: 2

Ecuador: 0

Drawn: 0

Senegal: 2

Predicted Line-up:

Ecuador XI: (4-4-2)

Galindez, An Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Ibarra, Enner Valencia, Michael Estrada

Senegal XI: (4-2-3-1)

Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Cisse, Diallo; Gueye, Mendy, Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia, Diatta, Diedhiou.

Ecuador vs Senegal prediction:

It is a do-or-die situation for either of the teams. This is the first time Ecuador is facing an African Nation in the FIFA World Cup. If Ecuador manages to beat Senegal, then they'll qualify for the knockout rounds. This will be the second time ever in their history. In doing so, it will also be Ecuador's first time going unbeaten on the group stage. With Netherlands looking likely to win against Qatar, both teams will try to take the lead.

Prediction: Ecuador 2-1 Senegal