The biggest and best names on planet earth have gathered for the start of the World Cup. That’s right, as always, we’ve got the brightest tipping minds in the business here on Paddy Power News.
To celebrate the start of the 2022 World Cup on Sunday we’re gathered a prudent punt from some of our star names for Qatar v Ecuador. We’re got soccer soothsayer Mark Lawrenson, tipster Shane O’Brien and two of Paddy’s trusty traders, Rob Jones and Dylan Walsh, with a best bet for the opener. Let’s get into it.
QATAR V ECUADOR BETTING TIPS
Lawro: Correct Score 1-1
Shane: Over 9.5 Corners
Dylan: Ecuador Over 2.5 Cards
Rob: Qatar Win/Draw Double Chance
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Sunday, November 20: 16:00 – Qatar v Ecuador
TV: BBC, RTE2
Lawro: Correct Score 1-1
Qatar, as the home nation, you’d expect a performance full of honest endeavor. Republic of Ireland played them a couple of times recently and one of those was a 1-1 Draw.
Ecuador, they qualified through with Brazil and Argentina so they will definitely have some quality. Because it’s the first game I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw. Qatar are under a lot of pressure, aren’t they? They have to be as the home nation so I’ll go with a score draw.
- DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT QATAR? Here’s our handy Qatar Team Guide
- THINK YOU KNOW ECUADOR? – Our traders deliver their verdict in this Ecuador Team Guide
Shane: Over 9.5 Corners
The odds would suggest that there is unlikely to be too many corners in Sunday’s opener, but Ecuador and Qatar’s most recent stats suggest otherwise. Ecuador have won 39 corners in their last six games at a rate of 6.5 per game, while they have won 28 corners in their last three games at a rate of over nine per game.
Qatar, on the other hand, have won 23 corners in their last six games for which data is available at a rate of just under four per game. Between them, Qatar and Ecuador should register Over 9.5 Corners on Sunday.
Dylan: Ecuador Over 2.5 Cards
Ecuador are a very defensive side and definitely like a yellow card. Over the course of qualifying, they amassed 40 cards in 17 games. Look to target the Over 2.5 lines and look at forwards like Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata for big prices on yellow cards.
Rob: Qatar Win/Draw Double Chance
Qatar can embrace their underdog status as they look to make footballing history. With the support of their home fans, the opener against Ecuador looks the best chance of picking up something. Other group games versus Senegal and the Netherlands follow and look much harder tasks on paper so your best bet for them is probably Qatar Win/Draw Double Chance v Ecuador.
QATAR V ECUADOR BETTING TIPS
Lawro: Correct Score 1-1
Shane: Over 9.5 Corners
Dylan: Ecuador Over 2.5 Cards
Rob: Qatar Win/Draw Double Chance
MORE WORLD CUP TIPS TODAY
- Here’s our 16/1 Qatar v Ecuador Bet Builder tips
MONDAY WORLD CUP TIPS
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- Lawro’s World Cup predictions for Monday’s 3 games
- PETER CROUCH: My England v Iran Betting Tips
- 10/1 shot among Thommo’s Wales v USA betting tips
- Deadly Depay the star of our 13/1 Netherlands v Senegal Bet Builder tips
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