France have been one of the most exciting teams in this FIFA World Cup 2014, scoring goals for fun, and Didier Deschamps' men will look to continue that good run when they face Ecuador at the Maracana in Rio De Janeiro on Wednesday.
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The Group E match is scheduled for a 5 pm local time (1.30 am IST, 9 pm BST, 4 pm ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Catch the action in the UK on ITV and BBC with the live streaming option HERE or HERE. Viewers in Brazil can watch the match HERE. US viewers can watch the game on ESPN while the option to live stream is HERE. Australia viewers can go HERE to watch the game live online, while Africa viewers can catch the action HERE. South Africa viewers can watch the match HERE.
The French are in pole position to finish Group E at the top of the pile after comprehensive wins over Honduras and Switzerland. A draw will be enough for France, who have already qualified to the round of 16, to top Group E, but the manner in which they have played so far at this World Cup, they will be expected to go all out for the win.
Having already made it to the second round, though, Deschamps will make a few changes to his side, with the likes of Patrice Evra, Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane and Mathieu Valbuena all set to be rested. Yohan Cabaye will also miss the game through suspension after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Switzerland.
"To get experience at some point you have to play," Deschamps said hinting at a few changes. "Some time or other, they are going to make their debuts or come back into the team.
"You need to find the right balance between those with less experience, those who have already played two matches. You can't have a team with players who have no familiarity of playing together."
Ecuador have a chance of qualifying for the next round no matter what the result depending on how the match between Honduras and Switzerland pans out. However, the South Americans, who cannot guarantee qualification even with a victory, will be keen to give themselves as good a chance as possible of making it to the knockout rounds by toppling France.
"I have too much respect for Ecuador to say we are going to have a simple game tomorrow," Deschamps added on Tuesday.
The South Americans, who have three points like Switzerland, kept their hopes of qualification alive and kicking courtesy a 2-1 win over Honduras, with Enner Valencia coming to the fore in some style, scoring both the goals.
Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda will again bank on his forward to find a way past France. "Enner showed it in the last six months with his club and the national team and let's hope he continues to improve and is increasingly better with his scoring contribution for Ecuador," Rueda said. "He has all the merits, attributes and characteristics of an elite player due to his discipline and game intelligence.
"He could adapt to the different footballing cultures in Europe and I'm sure that would be a growth experience for him and a great satisfaction for Ecuadorean football."
Expected lineups: Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, Ayovi; Antonio Valencia, Minda, Noboa, Montero; Caicedo, Enner Valencia.
France: Lloris; Sagna, Mangala, Koscielny, Digne; Sissoko, Pogba, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Benzema.
Prediction: 3-2 to France
