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World Cup home nation Qatar kicks off the tournament on Sunday versus Ecuador an underdog on both the money line and handicap. But Qatar has played great soccer heading into the match. Will the home squad prove they belong? Or will the CONMENBOL qualifying team open with a victory for South America? Check out FIFA World Cup Betting Odds, analysis, and a free pick for Qatar versus Ecuador.

2022 FIFA World Cup Betting Analysis: Qatar vs Ecuador Group A Matchup

Qatar versus Ecuador Odds and Match Info

When: Sunday, Nov. 20 at 11:00 am ET

Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al-Khor, Qatar

TV/Streaming: FS1

Handicap Odds: Ecuador -0.5 +135 / Qatar +0.5 -173

Moneyline Odds: Ecuador +143 / Qatar +220 / Draw +208

Total Odds: O 2.5 +153 / U 2.5 -198

Why Qatar is a good play versus Ecuador

Not only will Qatar have the crowd behind them but the home team has also played scorching soccer leading up to the World Cup Tournament. Qatar is 5-0 in their last 5 matches.

Granted, none of the teams Qatar beat are on Ecuador’s level. But Qatar outscored Albania, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua a combined 8 goals to 2. Qatar can pull off the upset win.

Qatar Last 5

W – 1-0 vs. Albania
W – 2-1 vs. Panama
W – 1-0 vs. Honduras
W – 2-0 vs. Guatemala
W – 2-1 vs. Nicaragua

Qatar Predicted Starting Lineup

Barsham
Khouki
Hasan
Salman
Ahmed
Mohamad
Asad
Muntari
Alaaedin
Afif
Waad

Why Ecuador is a good play versus Qatar

To qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Ecuador had to knock out some seriously talented teams. The Ecuadorians beat out Peru, Paraguay, and Chile to stamp their ticket to the tournament.

Ecuador also had to play and hang with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Ecuadorians are battle tested against much better teams than Qatar. Unless Ecuador just doesn’t play their usual defensive game, they should handle the host nation no problem.

Ecuador Last 5

D – 0-0 vs. Iraq
D – 0-0 vs. Japan
D – 0-0 vs. Saudi Arabia
W – 1-0 vs. Cape Verde Islands
D – 0-0 vs. Mexico

Ecuador Predicted Starting Lineup

Dominguez
Hincapie
Arboleda
Estupinan
Arreaga
Gruezo
Franco
Mendez
Caicedo
Sarmiento
Plata

Final Betting Analysis: Qatar vs Ecuador

Handicapping any World Cup match is difficult. But in this case, handicapping is close to impossible.

The reason? These two have different philosophies. Qatar tries to win every match, which is why the host nation dusted Albania, Nicaragua, Honduras, etc., in their friendlies leading up to the first World Cup match.

Ecuador didn’t go all out in their matches. The Ecuadorians played a much safer style versus teams like Iraq, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

The key for Qatar will be how well they can break down Ecuador’s defense. The key for Ecuador will be if they can counter Qatar when the Qataris push the ball up field and take lousy shots.

If Ecuador gets a single shot on goal, and they make it count, the game should be over. The Ecuadorians will fall back into a defensive posture and coast to a 1-0 victory. Ecuador starts off their World Cup dreams with a win.

World Cup Pick: Ecuador

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