Al Bayt Stadium will play host to Monday's FIFA World Cup game between Qatar and Ecuador. The game kicks off at 3:00 am with Ecuador heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Qatar vs. Ecuador game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Monday November 21, 2022 at 3:00 am

Where: Al Bayt Stadium

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Qatar vs Ecuador Odds

Qatar vs Ecuador Preview

Qatar start the 2022 Fifa World Cup as the smallest country to have ever hosted the competition and the first nation since 1934 to appear at the finals despite having never previously qualified.

However, opening day opponents Ecuador will not be taking them lightly as this Qatari side is seeing the benefits of almost two decades of dedicated focus and investment to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

Stability is the watchword. Manager Felix Sanchez first became involved with the Qatari setup 16 years ago, with the former Barcelona youth-team coach moving up through the age groups alongside emerging players to help the group peak for this showpiece event. The results have been impressive.

The Maroon claimed their first AFC Asian Cup title in 2019, scoring 19 goals and conceding just one as they saw off South Korea and Japan to claim the trophy. The feat was all the more impressive given it was hosted by the UAE – fierce sporting and diplomatic rivals whose supporters gave Sanchez’s men an openly hostile reception.

Qatar also impressed as guest participants at both the 2019 Copa America and 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.

Their Gold Cup campaign was only ended by an 86th-minute strike from hosts USA in the semi-finals and Qatar held their own in South America against top-level opposition, drawing with 2-2 Paraguay and providing characterful performances in another 86th-minute defeat to Colombia and a 2-0 loss against Argentina.

Striker Almoez Ali netted in the Copa America and top scored in both the Gold Cup – four goals in five games – and the Asian Cup – nine goals in seven – and is a genuine talent who will be of interest to goalscorer bettors.

Aided by the impressive Akram Afif – a skilful, pacy winger with an eye for a pass – Almoez will fancy his chances of breaching an Ecuador defence that conceded seven goals in three away trips to the three weakest teams in Conmebol qualifying.
Indeed Ecuador’s away record offers real hope to Qatar.

La Tri have a significant advantage in qualifying as they play most of their home games at altitude in Quito, where visitors struggle in the thin air – a factor that artificially boosts their home record.

It is perhaps telling that Ecuador had the fourth-worst away record in South American qualifying and a degree of travel sickness is often seen in tournament football.

La Tri crashed out at the group stage in their last World Cup finals appearance in nearby Brazil 2014 – beating only minnows Honduras – and flopped in both the 2021 and 2019 Copa Americas, again both hosted by Brazil.

That said, it would be hugely unfair to attribute Ecuador’s qualifying success entirely to altitude advantage.

In fact, there is excitement among supporters about the number of promising young Ecuadorian players emerging, with 20-year-old central defender Piero Hincapie making a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen and Brighton pair Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo impressing in the English Premier League.

However, scoring goals remains a problem.

Michael Estrada top-scored in qualifying with just six from 17 appearances and has not been in great form recently so the burden again rests on Ecuador’s all-time record goalscorer Enner Valencia, who scored all three of his nation’s goals at the 2014 World Cup but is past his best.

Ecuador are likely to again look to their tight defence to get them through this opening game and a low-scoring match looks extremely likely.

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