Morocco vs Ecuador Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

20:15
27
Metropolitano Stadium

Morocco

Ecuador

Under 2.5 Match Goals

Reason for tip

Collectively these two sides conceded just seven goals across 26 World Cup qualifiers and Morocco continued to show plenty of defensive resolve during the recent Africa Cup of Nations. With each of Ecuador’s last nine games featuring a maximum of two goals, this has all the makings of a low-scoring contest.

8/13odds when tipped

Bookie
Bet Tip
Sign Up

£15.30

BET HERE

Draw 1-1

Reason for tip

These two sides look hard to separate and the draw offers plenty of appeal when you consider Ecuador have shared the spoils in seven of their last nine games, while two of their previous four matches have finished 1-1.

5/1odds when tipped

Bookie
Bet Tip
Sign Up

£60.00

BET HERE

Morocco conceded just two goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign
Ecuador boasted the best defensive record in South American World Cup qualifying
Each of Ecuador’s last nine games have featured no more than two goals

Defensive strength to come to the fore in Madrid

Morocco and Ecuador will step up their preparations for this summer’s World Cup when they meet in an international friendly at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Friday.

Both sides booked their spots at the finals with relative ease and built much of their successes on strong defensive records, with Morocco conceding only two goals in their eight qualifiers and Ecuador just five across 18 matches that included home and away fixtures against the likes of Brazil, Uruguay and reigning world champions Argentina.

Morocco took that defensive resolve into the recent Africa Cup of Nations they hosted, conceding just one goal en route to the final where they were beaten by Senegal, only for that decision to be recently overturned, with the Atlas Lions instead being handed a 3-0 win.

Excluding the final, only one of Morocco’s matches at AFCON went over the 2.5-goal mark and scoring goals will be something new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi will hope to improve upon in his first match in charge.

That will be easier said than done against an Ecuador side that had by far and away the best defensive record in South American World Cup qualifying, although they too struggle to score, finding the back of the net just 14 times during that campaign.

Each of Ecuador’s last nine games have featured no more than two goals, while in 16 matches under Argentine head coach Sebastian Beccacece there have been just 17 goals scored, 13 for and a meagre four against.

This will be the first ever meeting between these two sides and it is unlikely to be a goalfest, but with seven of Ecuador’s last nine games finishing all-square and two of the previous four ending 1-1, another low-scoring stalemate could appeal in the correct score market.