Ecuador will look to salvage its World Cup qualifying hopes when it takes on Bolivia in a crucial qualifier.
Ecuador currently sits in fourth place in the CONMEBOL with 21 points in 13 games. The top four teams in the CONMEBOL automatically qualify for the tournament while the fifth place side must endure a playoff against either Kazakhstan or Jordan.
Ecuador's 21 points puts them just two above fifth place Uruguay; both teams have three matches remaining and will face off in what could prove to be a deciding match in October. Ecuador could secure at least the fifth place spot with a win over Bolivia on Tuesday.
However, the team needs to end its current streak of futility. The team has not won in its last three World Cup qualifiers and has slowly dropped down the table as a result. Their last victory came in March against Paraguay, but since then they have lost two and drawn once. A 1-0 loss to Peru was followed by a 1-1 draw against Argentina. In their most recent game, Ecuador lost 1-0 against Colombia thanks to poor defending and a missed penalty shot.
Meanwhile, Bolivia is the first team eliminated from contention after being destroyed 4-0 by Paraguay in Asuncion. The Bolivians only have 10 points in the qualifiers and have only accumulated two wins, four draws and eight losses. They have conceded a Confederation-worst 28 goals in that span.
Prediction: Ecuador has to pull off a win in La Paz, a rare feat in this tournament. Expect a 1-1 draw from this match.
Start Time: 4 p.m. EST