Both Latin American sides in Group E got off to a rough start in the World Cup, as Honduras fell 3-0 against
France and lost Wilson Palacios to a red card, while Ecuador surrendered a late winner to Switzerland in a 2-1
defeat. La Tri may fancy their chances against short-on-talent, high-on-spirit Honduras, but must be aware that any slip-up would likely spell doom for their chances of making the knockout stage.
On sheer speed, Jefferson Montero and Antonio Valencia may be the most terrifying players to face in the World Cup, and the bad news for opposing teams is they start opposite the field from each other for Ecuador. The good news is Honduras’ defensive approach meaning that Montero and Valencia are not likely to get anywhere near the amount of space in behind that they got against Switzerland, who regularly saw their fullbacks push into attack.
Viewers of the game France vs Honduras were probably better off after Palacios was shown a second
yellow card late in the first half, but it presents a problem for Honduras, who could welcome back Houston Dynamo star Boniek Garcia and his energetic two-way play to the starting lineup. But they will sorely miss the defensive steel that Palacios brings to a midfield that requires precisely that to execute Honduras’ game plan.
Honduras have now been shut out of their last five World Cup matches – dating back to their second group stage game in the 1982 World Cup. Ecuador on their own will not take this likely after loosing a lead against the Swiss in the first game and they have higher chance to make it up to their fans this time.
Verdict: Ecuador to win
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