Ecuador vs. Senegal Prediction: 2022 World Cup Betting Odds

Edgar Chaput
November 28, 2022

It’s hard to say if many would have predicted this to be the game of Group A before the tournament started, yet all the marbles are on the table.

Odds are quite interesting for this one. The South Americans sit at +144, whereas the Africans are at +201. A draw is pinned at +208. The O/U is 2.0 goals scored.

Ecuador vs. Senegal Betting Analysis

Ecuador +140
Draw +212
Senegal +197

The only time these nations ever found themselves on the pitch at the same time was for a friendly in 2002 which the Senegalese won 1-0.

If Ecuador wins, they go through. Likewise with Senegal. If the match concludes with a draw, the result of Qatar vs the Netherlands means everything. Ecuador sits at 4 points and Senegal only 3. As such, should this end in a stalemate, a Dutch win over the hosts would send the African nation out. The delights of final World Cup match days.

Senegal’s World Cup history in moments of great tension is limited, if not unimpressive. In 2002 with a place in the round of 16 to play for, they drew Uruguay 3-3. That momentum eventually carried them to the quarter-finals. Their performances at recent tournaments suggest they relish these occasions. They reached the final of the 2019 African Cup of Nations, the final of the 2021 COSAFA Cup, and won the 2022 African Cup of Nations.

Ecuador’s best World Cup effort came in 2006 when they played the in the round of 16. In 2014 they had a chance to go through the group stage but were held by France 0-0. They also played the quarter-final of the 2021 Copa America, where eventual champions Argentina took them out 1-0.

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Ecuador

Unless this match is a disaster, Qatar 2022 will be looked back on as la Tri’s coming-out party. In the lead-up to the tournament, they lacked a scoring touch, even though their defensive efforts were stellar. Their first two games have been impressive, to say the least.

It was the second contest with the Netherlands that turned head. The Oranje looked to impose themselves with early control and a fantastic goal from Cody Gakpo. But rather than be run over, the Ecuadorians never gave up. Despite only 46% ball possession, they were the side who made the most of their touches, launching a stunning 15 shots toward the Dutch net, with 4 on target. Burgeoning star Enner Valencia scored his third of the Cup with the equalizer in the 49^th minute. It ended 1-1, but most believed Ecuador was far and away the more exciting side.

Senegal

After falling to the Netherlands in the opening game, a date with Qatar seemed like a glorious opportunity to get things back on track. Aliou Cissé’s unit delivered on all fronts with a 3-1 victory to claim the points.

It wasn’t smooth sailing for 90 minutes. The host nation, knowing pride was on the line, showed spunk, finally scoring its first goal of the tournament in the 78^th minute. That said, in a testament to Senegalese poise, after conceding the goal that cut their lead to 2-1, the team regrouped nicely and got their insurance marker shortly thereafter in the 84^th. Equally impressive was how the offensive pressure was exercised by many players, not just Ismaïla Sarr. F Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, and the latter’s substitute Bamba Dieng all netted.