As World Cup qualifying rolls on in South America, Brazil will seek to end a three game losing streak against a rapidly improving Ecuador side. It's a strange table when Brazil finds themselves looking up at Ecuador, but when Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia are separating themselves from the pack as the class of CONMEBOL, Brazil needs to find a settled side to prove that they're at least the fourth best team in the region.
Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Friday, Sep. 6 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Major Antonio Couto Pereira -- Curitiba, Brazil
- Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
- Odds: Brazil -290; Draw +360; Ecuador +900
Storylines
Brazil: Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior may be the player who is looked at to score goals for Brazil, but with only two goals during Copa America and none in World Cup qualifying so far, could that talisman actually be Raphinha? Starting off the season in a free flowing Barcelona squad, Raphinha has three goals and two assists as he's already halfway to his goal output during all of last season. While it's too early to project what this season will look like, a healthy confident Raphinha could be just what the doctor ordered for Brazil.
Ecuador: A defensively sound side, Ecuador will be put to the test hosting Brazil, they were able to push Argentina to penalties at the Copa America but Brazil is a team that when at their best will be relentless in attack compared to Argentina sometimes being more pragmatic in their approach. Too much of Ecuaror's hopes are still on the shoulders of 17-year-old Kendry Paez, but as he has six goals and three assists in 18 matches for Independiente Del Valle, that hasn't been something holding him back which will make this a fascinating match.
Prediction
This won't be a match to say Brazil is back but in picking up points against Ecuador, it will be a step in the right direction for Brazil during what has been a disappointing 2024 so far. Pick: Brazil 3, Ecuador 1