Ecuador v England: Three Lions to extend perfect 2014

Roy Hodgson has promised personnel changes against Ecuador

Michael Lintorn respects Ecuador's durability, but can't resist the England win at odds above evens...

Ecuador v England
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Ecuador 4.47/2, England 2.021/1, The Draw 3.55n/a

Roy Hodgson probably knew it anyway, but if anyone doubted that the "lowered expectations" fans and media are directing at the England national team is a myth, the reaction of faint disappointment that greeted the 3-0 friendly win over Peru should have made it clear.

Peru weren't beaten by a greater margin than two goals in any of their 16 World Cup qualifiers in the ultra-difficult South American section - indeed it was their joint-heaviest defeat since June 2008 - yet there were still English observers concerned that 3-0 wasn't quite up to scratch.

Those critics will likely be disappointed again by the result that Hodgson's rotated side earn against an even more stubborn Ecuador team at the Sun Life Stadium. The World Cup attendees lost fewer matches than heavily-hyped Chile in CONMEBOL preliminaries and conceded the third-least goals.

However, this should still be a victory for the Three Lions, who Opta reveal have won their last seven pre-tournament warm-up games, in addition to their two prior meetings with the Equator-surfers.

Remarkably, Opta note that England haven't been toppled in the build-up to a major finals since Uruguay conquered them 24 years ago, and they have contested 23 such encounters since.

With Ecuador winning just one of their last six fixtures - against an out-of-sorts Australia - and falling 1-3 to Mexico in their first stateside showdown over the weekend - 2.021/1 looks a delicious price on an Anglo triumph.

England Win to Nil

Another feature of the England preparation match is the procurement of a clean sheet. All three previous appetite-whetters under Hodgson have been won to nil, with Norway and Belgium both vanquished 1-0 ahead of Euro 2012 and Peru dispensed of 3-0 at Wembley as already highlighted.

Further evidence that a shutout is on the way is provided by the five that the Three Lions have achieved in their last eight outings - including two from two in 2014 - and Ecuador's failure to score in the two prior head-to-heads.

The fact that those clashes finished 2-0 and 1-0 hints that under 2.5 goals is also a healthy option at odds of 1.768/11.

Best Bet: Back England to win @ 2.021/1
Other Recommended Bet: Back England to win to nil @ 3.1511/5