While Ecuador will only realistically have pride to play for at the Estadio El Teniente, there is still something riding on this final Copa America group encounter for Mexico.

A win should see them qualify for the knockout stages, but they are bound to be up against a side determined not to return home with three defeats to their name.

Mexico

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It should be regarded a success that with one group game remaining, Mexico still have a decent chance of securing themselves a spot in the quarter-finals.

After all, it was well documented before the tournament got underway that head coach Miguel Herrera had prioritised next month's Gold Cup.

Players such as Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado and the Dos Santos brothers were all told to rest up, which has given an opportunity to some of the fringe players in Chile.

To their credit, while the 0-0 draw with Bolivia on matchday one was hardly inspiring, last time out they played their part in an entertaining six-goal thriller with the hosts. In truth, they created enough chances to have come away from that encounter with more than a point.

With two points to their name, a win over Ecuador provides Mexico with a good chance of finishing in the top two, particularly with Chile and Bolivia, who are level on four points apiece, due to face each other. Yet, even if they do finish behind those two, there is every possibility that they will qualify as one of the two best third-place finishers.

In their eight previous Copa America campaigns, the Mexicans have only failed to advance beyond the group stages once.

Recent form: LWDLDD

Ecuador

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Heading into this tournament, Ecuador could not exactly boast the best of Copa America records.

Only twice in the last 11 editions had La Tri advanced beyond the group stages - something that they have not achieved since 1997.

To make matters even more downbeat, they had not won a Copa America game since a 4-0 hammering of Venezuela 14 years ago.

Yet, even with new boss Gustavo Quinteros at the helm, it has been the same negative form from Ecuador. The 2-0 defeat to Chile in the tournament opener can perhaps be accepted, but losing 3-2 to Bolivia - a side ranked 58 places below them in the current FIFA rankings - will not have been well received back home.

The two defeats mean that even a first Copa America victory since 2001 over Mexico is unlikely to be enough to extend their interest in the competition beyond the group stages.

Regardless of the result that they achieve, it is an uncertain time for the Ecuador national side ahead of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. There have been disputes over squad bonuses in recent years and displays at this Copa will have done little to improve the mood.

Recent form: LLDWLL

Team News

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The big news for the Mexicans is that they will be without captain and centre-back Rafael Marquez, who is sidelined with a thigh injury that may end up keeping him out of the remainder of the tournament.

Juan Carlos Valenzuela deputised for the 36-year-old against Chile, and the Club Atlas player is expected to keep his place in the three-man defence.

Further up the pitch, Matias Vuoso, who has scored two goals in the competitions so far, will partner Raul Jimenez in attack.

As for Ecuador, two defeats on the bounce may convince Quinteros to make some changes to his starting lineup.

Juan Cazares could come into the midfield, while winger Renato Ibarra is also believed to be pushing for inclusion.

Mexico possible starting lineup:
Corona; Ayala, Valenzuela, Dominguez; Aldrete, Flores; Guemez, Medina, Tecatito; Vuoso, Jimenez

Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Dominguez; Paredes, Achillier, Erazo, Ayovi; Ibarra, Cazares, Martinez, Bolanos, Montero; Valencia

Head To Head

When these two clashed in a friendly in Los Angeles back in late March, Mexico ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Manchester United frontman Hernandez.

It was no surprise that the Mexicans came out on top when looking back at the head-to-head record, which goes back 22 matches to 1970.

Ecuador have won just two of those games and have suffered 16 defeats in the process.

Their most recent victory came back in 2010, when the late Christian Benitez was among the scorers in a 2-1 win.

We say: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador

They struggled to create chances in their opening game, but Mexico got their creative juices flowing against Chile. Providing that they are able to carry that on against Ecuador, they will have far too much for the Ecuadorians, who with two defeats to their name are likely to want to be on the next plane home.

Written by
Liam Apicella

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