Preview: Ecuador vs. Japan - prediction, team news, lineups

On Tuesday, Ecuador and Japan will both conclude their preparations for the 2022 World Cup when the two nations meet in Dusseldorf for an international friendly.

The South Americans are currently unbeaten in their last five games, while Japan are also in fine form after avoiding defeat in their previous four matches.

Match preview

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After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Ecuador bounced back by finishing fourth in South American qualifying to ensure that they will be in Qatar.

Ecuador's home form played a major role in their successful qualifying campaign after losing only one of their nine home matches.

There will not be any home comforts at the World Cup, but Gustavo Alfaro's side will head to Qatar in confident mood if they can extend their five-game unbeaten run on Tuesday.

A goalless draw against Saudi Arabia last time out may not catch the attention, but one loss in their previous 13 matches certainly highlights how tough Ecuador are to beat.

With six of Ecuador's last nine games ending all square, there seems a real possibility that they could replicate the 1-1 draw that they recorded in their most recent meeting with Japan in 2019.

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Like their opponents, Japan are also preparing for the upcoming World Cup after finishing second in their group in the third round of qualifying.

Japan are set to head into their seventh consecutive World Cup in impressive form after winning three of their last four matches, including a 2-0 victory over the United States on Friday.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada gave his country a half-time lead against the United States before Kaoru Mitoma wrapped up the win with an 88th-minute strike.

As a result of the victory, Japan have now won 11 of their previous 15 games, while they have also kept four consecutive clean sheets.

Following their positive run of form, Hajime Moriyasu will hope that his side can extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they face Ecuador.

Team News

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Alan Franco is a doubt for the hosts after the 24-year-old was forced off in the first half of the goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.

Jose Cifuentes replaced Franco in Friday's contest, and he is set to come into the side to join Carlos Gruezo and Moises Caicedo in a midfield three.

Meanwhile, Enner Valencia will look to transfer his club form into international action after scoring seven goals in five league games for Fenerbahce this season.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been withdrawn from the squad for Tuesday's game due to club circumstances.

With Tomiyasu unavailable, Hiroki Ito is expected to come into the starting lineup to partner Maya Yoshida in central defence.

After coming off the bench to score in the win over the United States, Mitoma could be rewarded with a spot against Ecuador.

Ecuador possible starting lineup:

Dominguez; Preciado, Porozo, Hincapie, Estupinan; Cifuentes, Gruezo, Caicedo; Plata, Ibarra, Valencia

Japan possible starting lineup:

Gonda; Sakai, Yoshida, H. Ito, Nakayama; Doan, Endo, Morita, Mitoma; Maeda, Kamada

We say: Ecuador 1-1 Japan

Ecuador have drawn three of their last five games, and with both sides looking to extend their respective unbeaten runs ahead of the World Cup, we think that the two nations will be content with a draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.