Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho (middle) dribbles past two Honduran defenders. (Photo : Getty Images)
A high-profile Group B match between world no. 7 Brazil and world no. 12 Ecuador is set on Saturday, June 4 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena as the 2016 Copa América Centenario kicks off.
Brazil and Ecuador are the favorites to advance in the knockout stages of the tournament as they are with 46th-ranked Peru and 71st-ranked Haiti in Group B.
Even if the Pentacampeões are without their veteran stars Neymar, David Luis, Thiago Silva, and Oscar in this tournament, they are still tipped as the choice to top the group with Philippe Coutinho, Hulk, Willian, Luis Gustavo, Marquinhos, and Casemiro leading the way.
Dani Alves and Kaka will be there to provide veteran leadership, but as a whole, the squad is a "relatively inexperienced team featuring 14 players with fewer than 10 international caps," as per the Los Angeles Times.
Team captain Neymar said to have passed up the chance to participate so that he could compete in the upcoming Rio Summer Olympics, which is in his sights for a long time. Even so, the Seleção is not in shortage of star players as mentioned above.
However, Canarinho has not been playing consistently with head coach Dunga and so they are not the top favorite to win the whole tournament.
Meanwhile, Ecuador is the best team in the group aside from Brazil and so it is highly probable that they advance in the knockout round, as long as they stave off Peru.
Head coach Gustavo Quinteros' crew will have to overcome the absence of top goalscorer Felipe Caicedo, though, as the Espanyol striker suffered a thigh injury before the competitions, NBC Sports reported.
The team is currently bannered by Manchester United's Antonio Valencia, Swansea City's Jefferson Montero, West Ham United's Enner Valencia, and Gremio's Miler Bolaños, but they are one striker short of having the chance to topple Brazil in this match.
The predicted result is a 3-1 victory for Brazil.
Brazil starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Alisson; Alves, Marquinhos, Luis, Miranda; Casemiro, Elias; Willian, Coutinho, Gustavo; Hulk
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Dominguez; Ayovi, Paredes, Erazo, Achilier; Noboa, Arroyo; A. Valencia, Montero, Mena; E. Valencia
