Prediction: Ecuador vs Bolivia

Verdict: Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds:6/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Ecuador and Bolivia travel to the USA for the last game before the start of the 50th edition of Copa America which will be held on American soil. While both teams are eager to make a good impression at this tournament, a friendly game at Subaru Park from Chester, Pennsylvania, will be the last chance to make the final adjustments before the competition starts.

Ecuador

Ecuador’s progress in recent years on the biggest stage of world football is quite impressive. Despite starting as undergoes in each qualification campaign, the hosts managed to qualify for the last two editions of the World Cup. Although their best performance at the biggest football stage is reaching the last 16 in 2006 at the final tournament held in Germany, the hosts also upped their level in Copa America.

Making an early statement in the current qualification campaign by suffering a single defeat after six games, La Tri is on course to reach their second consecutive World Cup. Despite facing strong opponents like Colombia and Uruguay, Ecuador suffered a single defeat to World Cup winners Argentina, a run that positioned the hosts above Brazil in the standings.

However, the preparations for the upcoming Copa America proved difficult for Ecuador who managed a single win from three games. Starting March with a comfortable win against Guatemala (0-2) gave Félix Sánchez squad hopes to pull a major upset against Italy and Argentina.

Despite playing at the same level as Italy, Ecuador failed to score against Squadra Azzura who eventually emerged victorious with a comfortable 2-0 win. The last test proved even more difficult as Argentina edged La Tri with a 40-minute goal scored by experienced winger Angel di Maria.

Still, these two setbacks should not be a major concern for Ecuador which has a great chance of qualifying in the knockout phase of Copa America from an accessible group with Mexico, Venezuela and Jamaica.

Team News

Centre forward Kevin Rodrigues will not play against Bolivia. Despite the talented striker’s efforts to recover quickly from a muscle injury sustained at the beginning of May, the medical staff is sceptical of Rodrigues’s presence at the Copa America.

Bolivia

Although Bolivia has guaranteed participation at Copa America every tournament due to an organization which guarantees all CONMEBOL teams’ presence, the hosts struggle to qualify for the World Cup. Having assured only one participation at the biggest stage of World football through qualifications (USA 1994), and other two times by invitations, the visitors are far away this time to repeat the 1994 performance.

Starting their qualifying campaign with a heavy 5-1 defeat against Brazil, followed by a 3-0 no-contest home defeat to World Cup winner Argentina seems to have ended Bolivia’s hopes of reaching the 2026 final tournament. Although the qualification campaign is long, Bolivia is unlikely to bounce back from this poor start.

However, despite recent struggles, La Verde gained more confidence after scoring three goals in the last three friendly games. While a defeat to Mexico was expected, Bolivia defeated Andorra (1-0) and scored twice before surrendering to Algeria (3-2 final score). Although these results lifted the mood in Antonio Zago’s camp before the opening Copa America game against the USA, the visitors are tipped with slim chances of reaching the knockout phase from a difficult group with Panama and Uruguay as the other two opponents.

Furthermore, Bolivia’s disastrous h2h record against Ecuador with the last success stemming nearly a decade ago (2015) positions the visitors as underdogs against La Tri. Following the Copa America journey, Bolivia will fight to qualify for the 2026 World Cup where the 7th place guarantees a play-off qualification game is within reach.

Team News

Antonio Zago is expected to use the same 4-3-2-1 attacking system displayed against Mexico. However, the Brazilian coach will test more players against Ecuador to finalise his starting line-up for the opening Copa America game against the USA.

Key factors to consider

• Ecuador lost the last two games (friendlies) against Italy and Argentina
• The hosts are well-positioned in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 8 points after 6 games
• Bolivia lost their last 6 games against Ecuador
• The visitors won a single competitive match this season

Conclusion

While Ecuador’s higher value and latest results indicate a comfortable win for the hosts, Bolivia’s recent displays predict an open game with goals scored at both ends.

Verdict: Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds:6/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet