Ecuador forward Fidel Martinez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Surprise team Ecuador (4-0-0, 12 points) will look to extend their unbeaten streak in the CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament as the team hosts contending squad Paraguay (2-1-1, 7 points) at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, Ecuador on March 24th, Thursday,
Ecuador swept their opponents in the first four matchdays of the competitions, pulling off a 2-0 upset over FIFA world second-ranked squad Argentina during the opening day then beating Bolivia and Uruguay, 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, in the next two matchdays.
Their most recent qualifying match was a 3-1 trouncing of Venezuela at the Estadio Cachamay in Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela during last year's matchday 4 on Nov. 17th, as per Soccerway.
La Tricolor scored the first three goals of the match, courtesy of forward Fidel Martinez and winger Jefferson Montero at the 15th and 23rd minutes of the first half and striker Felipe Caicedo right at the hour mark of the game, to give Gustavo Quinteros' side a commanding 3-0 lead.
Venezuela was able to score a consolation goal six minutes before the full time whistle with a strike from La Vinotinto forward Josef Martinez.
Meanwhile, Paraguay is having an up-and-down tournament so far after opening with a 1-0 win over Venezuela, drawing the Argentinians 0-0 in matchday 2, then losing a 0-1 game to lowly Peru in the next matchday.
Los Guaraníes' matchday 4 game ended in a victory, though, 2-1, over struggling team Bolivia at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay also on Nov. 17th of last year, via Goal.
The Bolivians actually drew first blood in the match with a 59th minute goal from New York Cosmos forward Yasmani Duk, but Ramón Díaz's men were able to respond with two quick goals, courtesy of strikers Dario Lezcano and Lucas Barrios at the 61st and 64th minutes, to immediately overtake the lead created by La Verde.
Ecuador tops the overall standings as the only team without a loss so far in the tourney while Paraguay is at the fourth spot with two wins, a loss, and a tie.
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Ecuador.
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Dreer; Ayovi, Erazo, Guagua, Paredes; Quinonez, Noboa; Montero, Bolanos, Martinez; Caicedo
Paraguay starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Silva; Samudio, Piris, Da Silva, Valdez; Rojas, Ortiz; Benitez, Lezcano, Gonzalez; Barrios
