Ecuador vs Jamaica Predictions

Ecuador return to action for the first time in 11 months this week, after taking a break following their World Cup campaign. Instead of taking part in the pre-World Cup friendlies, Ecuador rested their players after failing to qualify for the showpiece in Russia. They return to action this week, kicking off preparations for the Copa America next summer, and the next set of World Cup qualifiers. Their first game back looks straightforward on paper, as they clash with Jamaica.

The South Americans head north to New Jersey for this one, following many of their neighbours. Plenty of South American sides are featuring in the United States this week, and their midweek encounter with Guatemala takes them to Illinois. It’s part of a jet-setting calendar for the Ecuadoreans, who are away to World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar next month. That schedule starts with a straightforward clash here, with Ecuador including their top stars as they look to return to action on a high.

Jamaica’s squad is lacking in talent in most areas, and their highest profile players are representatives from the English Premier League and Championship, in the shape of defenders Adrian Mariappa and Michael Hector. They kick off their Autumn schedule with this friendly, before taking part in the CONCACAF Nations League – a North American version of the new UEFA tournament. Can they warm up for clashes with the Cayman Islands and Bonaire with a huge victory over Ecuador?

The South Americans are the obvious favourites, and the contrast in the two squads makes that clear. While Ecuador don’t have too many major European-based players, they have talent dispersed around North and South America. That includes forward Enner Valencia, and experienced defender Juan Carlos Paredes. They should have far too much for Jamaica, based on their last couple of friendlies, which saw them rack up the goals against El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago.

While Jamaica’s recent friendlies have brought an unbeaten run against top sides they’ve struggled. Peru claimed a 3-1 win over them last year, while their last heavy friendly defeat came in a meeting with South Korea in 2015. Costa Rica, Panama and Haiti beat them in their final three World Cup qualifiers, and Ecuador should rack up the goals here. However, we can see the underdogs threatening a defence which haven’t played together in a long time, so we’re backing over 2.5 goals and a 3-1 victory.