Ecuador to face Bolivia in World Cup qualifier

Ecuador will compete against Bolivia Tuesday to chase the last automatic spot in the CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) World Cup qualifiers.

Both countries have reached the end of the road in the South American qualifiers. The Ecuadorians fell 0-1 away to Colombia last Friday in an encounter that almost got called off due to bad weather while the Bolivians defeated Paraguay 4-0 in Asuncion last Friday, reports Xinhua.

With three games remaining, Ecuador are two points clear of fifth-place Uruguay and three points behind Chile with a game in hand. Gabriel Achilier will be suspended for Ecuador after being sent off in the match against Colombia.

Ecuador have won all of their previous visits to La Paz and have a 100 percent record in their eight previous meetings. Ecuador scored 20 goals in those matches, conceding only six.

While Ecuador go ahead in the hope of being in Brazil next year, Bolivia find themselves bottom of the group with just two wins from 14 matches. But the hosts are looking to gain a bit of pride against Ecuador, hoping the home factor should aid them.

If Ecuador become the first road team in the South American World Cup qualifiers to defeat Bolivia since June 2012, they will be assured of a top-5 finish.

As of now, Ecuador are on 21 points above fifth-placed Uruguay (19) and Venezuela (16). Only one automatic spot available makes the race tighter than ever.