Ecuador take on Group E winners Germany in New Jersey on Thursday knowing a victory is required if they are to advance to the knockout phase in second place.
After being held to a disappointing goalless draw by Curacao, La Tri have taken just one point from two matches having also conceded a 90th-minute winner to Ivory Coast in their opening game.
Ecuador must now get the better of Julian Nagelsmann's side in the final round of fixtures to have a chance of securing a place in the top two.
A draw would put them on two points which might not be enough to secure progress from Group E as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.
Germany have won both games, beating Curacao 7-1 before coming from behind to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1, and will hope to notch another victory to build momentum heading into the last 32.
Ecuador v Germany Tips Summary
Best Bet - Germany to win to nil @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Deniz Undav to score @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Both teams to score - No, Kai Havertz to record 2+ shots & Moises Caicedo to be carded @ 15/2
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Ecuador v Germany Prediction
Best Bet: Germany to win to nil @ 13/8
Germany have secured top spot in Group E after winning two from two and claiming the head-to-head record over Ivory Coast who are the only team capable of tying on six points.
Die Mannschaft have scored nine goals to earn two victories but now face an Ecuador side boasting one of the meanest defences at the tournament.
El Tri only conceded five goals in World Cup qualifying and have kept four clean sheets in their last eight games.
However, despite fielding the likes of Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie at the back, they could find it difficult to keep the free-scoring Germans at bay.
Ecuador themselves are yet to find the net at the tournament and that run could go on in the third and final game.
Germany have only kept one clean sheet in six matches, but may well be untroubled by an El Tri side who look toothless in attack and who are relying on veteran captain Enner Valencia to hit the target.
The striker actually recorded five shots on target against Curacao, but failed to trouble the goalkeeper as Ecuador fired another blank.
Germany are favourites to win on Thursday and will fancy their chances of recording a first shutout in four games.
Alternative Bet: Deniz Undav to score @ 11/10
Deniz Undav has now scored three World Cup goals after coming off the bench in both of Germany's first two group games.
The Stuttgart forward, who formerly played for Brighton, netted the sixth goal against Curacao and hit a brace to help Die Mannschaft come from behind to defeat the Ivory Coast and secure their passage to the knockouts as Group E winners.
With three goals in less than an hour on the pitch, Undav is giving Nagelsmann a selection headache.
Having proved he can do the business off the bench, the Germany coach can continue to use Undav as a substitute, or elect to reward his efforts with a start against La Tri.
Undav, who scored 19 goals in the Bundesliga last season, has netted six times in his last five appearances for the national team and will be confident of adding to his tally when he takes to the pitch in New Jersey.
Ecuador v Germany Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score - No
Kai Havertz to record 2+ shots
Moises Caicedo to be carded
Pays @ 15/2
Ecuador's struggles in front of goal means it's unlikely they will trouble the Germany backline too often in New Jersey.
The El Tri attack is the weakest part of the Ecuador squad and so the Germans may well be able to earn their first clean sheet of the tournament.
Kai Havertz netted twice against Curacao and led the line against Ivory Coast, acting as a focal point and goal threat in attack.
The Arsenal forward has hit a total of seven shots in the first two games and, while chances may be harder to come by against Ecuador and Gunners team-mate Hincapie, Havertz will still look to take aim and should record at least two efforts on goal.
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo is yet to be carded at the World Cup, but was fortunate against the Ivory Coast having committed three fouls.
The midfielder was sent off against Argentina in September and picked up 19 bookings for club and country last season.
Taking into account those figures, the midfielder may well find himself in the referee's notebook as he bids to frustrate Germany and hinder their rhythm in the centre of the park.
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Key Match Stats
Ecuador have kept two clean sheets in three games having conceded just five goals in qualifying
Germany have faced Ecuador once at the World Cup, running out 3-0 winners in 2006
Ecuador have advanced from the group stage just once (in 2006) in four attempts
Germany have conceded first-half goals in both World Cup group games
Ecuador had scored in five straight games before drawing a blank against Ivory Coast and Curacao
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
