Ecuador vs. Japan Betting Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds
Round 3 of the 2019 Copa America Group C will end with the fight for the third place between slight favourites Ecuador, and Japan.
Ecuador vs. Japan
- Copa America
- Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Tuesday 25 June
- 00:00 UK Time
Ecuador vs. Japan Game Preview
A draw is not an option for Ecuador and Japan in this one as only three points can lead them to the quarter-finals after the latest results elsewhere. Both teams displayed better performance in their second game of the tournament and in this decisive clash, we expect to see the very best from Los Amarillos and Samurai Blue.
Ecuador Team News and Latest Form
The rankings usually ring true as far as Ecuador are concerned, as they have registered just four victories in all games since the start of 2018 (W4, D3, L5), three of which were against lower-ranked sides than themselves. Moreover, Ecuador are yet to win in five matches against higher-ranked opposition in 2019 (D1, L4).
Ecuador haven’t seen a goalless first half in any of their four games since the beginning of this month (1.75 total first-half goals average). Enner Valencia scored his first goal of the campaign from the penalty spot last time out; he scored in two of their three group games in the last campaign.
Both of Ecuador’s Copa America group games saw over 1.5 first-half goals. Ecuador have had a man sent-off in both group games so far, whilst Japan have received exactly two bookings in both. Los Amarillos are without a win in their previous six games and they scored just four goals in the process but will need to score at least one in order to progress to the quarter-finals.
Still, they managed to keep their net intact in only two of the last ten matches and they already conceded six at this tournament.
Japan Team News and Latest Form
As one of the Copa America’s invitees and the first non-North/Latin American nation to play in the Copa America, Japan are yet to win a game ahead of their fifth match in the tournament (D2, L3).
Hajime Moriyasu has enjoyed relative success since taking the helm; averaging 2.17 points per match. Nine of his 12 victories in charge have been to nil, although over half of the victories were by just a single-goal margin (58.3%).
Koji Miyoshi announced himself on the international stage with a goal either side of half-time to earn a surprise draw vs Uruguay last time out. Eight of Japan’s last ten games have seen just one or no teams score (in all competitions).
Japan’s defence played a bit better in 2019 but they also allowed six goals at this Copa America after keeping a clean sheet in three consecutive games.
Ecuador vs. Japan Head to Head
Ecuador and Japan met only once before and it was in a friendly match back in 2006 when the Samurai Blue secured a narrow, 1-0 victory.
Ecuador vs. Japan Betting Tip
Ecuador are struggling with efficiency and they are currently the most inefficient side at this Copa America but they know they must score at least once in this one to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. That’s the same case with the Japanese, who know a draw is not an option and will definitely be aggressive from the start with hopes of opening the scoring and waiting for their chance on the counter later.
I am pretty sure this game will not end without goals but backing both teams to score at 8/13 is not such an attractive bet. Given both teams need three points here and a possible 1-1 will not work, so backing BTTS and Over 2.5 goals at 20/21 with 22Bet is a much better option. Go for it!
