Ecuador vs Nigeria Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 641

Ecuador and Nigeria will face off in a friendly match at New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena on Friday, with both teams in need of a morale-boosting result.

The hosts head into the contest on a run of five successive games without a win, while the Super Eagles have failed to succeed in each of their last four matches across all competitions.

Ecuador failed to put an end to their slump in form in their most recent game on March 30, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Argentina on home soil.

Gustavo Alfaro’s side have now failed to win any of their last five matches across all competitions, including their final four game in the World Cup qualifiers, claiming four draws and losing one since last November’s 2-0 victory over Chile.

Despite a disappointing end to their World Cup qualification campaign, an early run of form saw Ecuador secure a spot in Qatar after collecting 26 points from 18 games to finish two points above fifth-placed Peru in the playoffs spot.

La Tri will fancy their chances of ending their dip in form as they return home, where they are unbeaten in six successive matches, claiming three wins and three draws since a 2-1 defeat against Peru in June 2021.

Nigeria failed to kick off their friendlies on a positive note as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Mexico when the sides had an encounter on Sunday.

Prior to that, Nigeria saw their hopes of making a seventh World Cup appearance later this year come to an end when they lost on the away goal rule to rivals Ghana back in March.

The Super Eagles have now failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions, picking up two draws and two losses in the process.

Ecuador vs Nigeria head to head

The two teams have not previously met in any competition, and they will be meeting for the first time in a friendly game.

Ecuador latest home form

Ecuador have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Argentina in their last home game in the World Cup Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded two.

Ecuador 0-0 Chile 06/09/21

Ecuador 3-0 Bolivia 08/10/21

Ecuador 1-0 Venezuela 12/11/21

Ecuador 1-1 Brazil 28/01/22

Ecuador 1-1 Argentina 30/03/22

Ecuador latest away form

Ecuador lost their last away game 3-1 to Paraguay in the World Cup Qualifiers. However, they have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their previous five matches. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven.

Mexico 2-3 Ecuador 28/10/21

Chile 0-2 Ecuador 17/11/21

El Salvador 1-1 Ecuador 05/12/21

Peru 1-1 Ecuador 02/02/22

Paraguay 3-1 Ecuador 25/03/22

Nigeria latest home form

Nigeria have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Ghana in their last home game in the World Cup Qualifiers. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded four.

Nigeria 1-1 Cape Verde 16/11/21

Nigeria 1-0 Egypt 11/01/22

Nigeria 3-1 Sudan 15/01/22

Nigeria 0-1 Tunisia 23/01/22

Nigeria 1-1 Ghana 29/03/22

Nigeria latest away form

Nigeria lost their last away game 2-1 to Mexico in a friendly match. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded two.

Central African Republic 0-2 Nigeria 10/10/21

Liberia 0-2 Nigeria 13/11/21

Guinea-Bissau 0-2 Nigeria 19/01/22

Ghana 0-0 Nigeria 25/03/22

Mexico 2-1 Nigeria 29/05/22

Ecuador news

Alfaro has called up 25 players for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Mexico, including Villarreal full-back Pervis Estupian and the Brighton & Hove Albion duo of forward Jeremy Sarmiento and midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Robert Arboleda and Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie should form the centre-back pairing, shielding Hernan Galindez in goal.

Nigeria news

After his impressive midfield perfomance, Joe Aribo should retain his spot at the heart of the park, playing alongside Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Stoke City’s Oghene Etebo.

We are expecting an unchanged back four of Semi Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Chidozie Awaziem, with Francis Uzoho keeping his spot between the posts.