FIFA World Cup 2014 Match Preview: France v/s Ecuador

France take on Ecuador in their final Group E match.France are more likely to secure a spot in the knock-out stage, as they currently sit on the top spot of the Group E with six points, ahead of Ecuador and Switzerland with three points each.After thrashing Switzerland 5-2, Didier Deschamps’ side will be confident as they take on Ecuador. Les Bleus have already scored eight goals in the previous two group matches.

Karim Benzema is the main man for Les Bleus as he has scored six goals in his last for appearances, having played a part in five of France's eight goals (scored 3; assisted 2). Switzerland take on Honduras in the other game tonight, and if the Swiss beat Honduras and Ecuador lose to France, France and Switzerland go to the last 16. However, if Honduras beat Switzerland, then Ecuador could qualify even with a loss to France, based on the goal difference. But Ecuador may not want to leave it to Honduras to secure their own place in the last 16.

Coach Deschamps is expected to make changes to his starting line-up as Yohan Cabaye is suspended and Mamadou Sakho remains a doubt and is likely to be replaced by Laurent Koscielny in defense.

Here are some of the stats on France vs Ecuador match (optasports.com):

*This will be the second ever meeting between these sides.

*France won the previous encounter 2-0 in a friendly game in May 2008 in which Bafetimbi Gomis bagged a brace.

*None of the French players who started this friendly game are in the 2014 World Cup squad.

*France haven’t lost any of their last six games against South American teams at World Cup (W3 D3).

*France have scored three or more goals in consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since the 1998 group stages – which was the last time that they lifted the trophy.

*Enner Valencia has scored seven times in his last six appearances for Ecuador, scoring at least once in each game.

*Ecuador have managed eight shots on target at the 2014 World Cup so far and Enner Valencia has attempted half of these (4). He’s attempted six shots at goal, no other Ecuador player has managed more than three.

*Mathieu Valbuena has created six goalscoring chances for France in their two games so far at the 2014 finals, assisting one goal. He created more goalscoring chances than any other player in Ligue 1 during 2013-14 (90).