World Cup preview – Day 1: Qatar vs Ecuador tips and prediction plus free bets and bonus sign-up offers

QATAR and Ecuador will kick-start the 2022 World Cup on Sunday.

And SunSport are on-hand to preview Day 1 of the competition while bringing you our carefully selected best bets, sign-up offers and exclusive bonuses from our partners.

We’ve got 29 days, 32 teams and 64 matches — a feast of football is about to get underway in Qatar.

It’s been billed as a ‘World Cup like no other,’ and there’s no doubting the accuracy of that statement.

It’s the first World Cup to have ever taken place in the Middle East, and the first held midway through a domestic season in winter.

But it’s not going to be cold. Far from it. Average temperatures in Doha will be around 26 degrees in November and 21 degrees in December.

Conditions will no doubt play a significant role in deciding who will be crowned 2022 champions, but bookmakers think Brazil will handle it best having installed them as 4/1 favourites.

If that’s the case, then backing Brazil to win the World Cup and Neymar to be top goalscorer at 22/1 with BoyleSports is a cracking shout. You can claim that special offer HERE*.

Qatar vs Ecuador

All eyes will be on the Group A opener between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a massive occasion for the hosts, who are competing on the biggest international stage for the first time in their history.

Ecuador, meanwhile, make their return to the World Cup finals after an eight-year absence.

On paper, it looks a routine victory for the visitors, who are ranked above Qatar and finished fourth in the notoriously difficult CONMEBOL qualification.

The bookies agree having priced Ecuador as favourites at 7/5 to win inside 90 minutes.

But Qatar have history on their side. No host nation has ever lost in a World Cup opener. There’s also not been a goalless draw in an opening WC fixture since 1978.

They are also on a five-match unbeaten run, which includes a win over Albania and a creditable 2-2 draw against Chile in September.

Our tips

• We think this clash ends in a 1-1 draw at odds of 9/2 with Betfair. New Betfair customers can back this tip and get £30 in free bets HERE*

• Qatar’s Almoez Ali has opened the scoring in each of his last three matches and is available at 6/1 with Sky Bet to score first on Sunday. New Sky Bet customers can back this tip and get £40 in free bets HERE*

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*Sky Bet: Stake £10 on Qatar vs Ecuador and receive £40 in free bets to spend on the World Cup. New customers only. First single & EW bet only. £10 minimum stake. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £10 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets for football only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org

*Brazil to win the World Cup and Neymar top goalscorer. 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Payment method restrictions. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs apply. **18+. Prices subject to fluctuation and availability. T&C’s Apply. T&Cs apply.

*Bet £10 Get Double The Odds with Grosvenor Sport. New customers only. Stake min amount of £19 (odds of 1.8 or greater) on any sporting event. Promotion available between 14/11/22 – 01/12/22. Max 4 x £10, 4 x £5, 1 x £6 Free Bets credited on qualifying bet settlement on selected events. 1x claim per customer. Void, cashed out, partially cashed out bets do not qualify. Each Way bets, system bets and profit boost are not permitted for qualifying bet. Free bets are non-withdrawable & not returned with winnings. Free bets expire after 7 days of qualifying bet settlement. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

*Get England, Brazil, France and Argentina all to win their first match at 50/1 with BetVictor. 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in, bet £1 on Brazil, England, France & Argentina to win their 1st match, in 7 days. No cash out. Enhanced odds paid in free bets, expire in 7 days. Offer valid until 13:00 UK time on 21/11/2022. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org

*Bet £10 to Get £20 in free bets with Sporting Index. New clients only. Applies to first £10+ bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) of greater. Qualifying bet to be placed within 14 days of account opening. First £10 Free Bet will be issued once the qualifying bet settles. Second £10 Free Bet will be issued 24 hours later. Free Bets valid for 7 days and stake not returned. Cashed out or voided bets do not qualify. Full terms apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

*Bet £10 on the Golden Boot winner and get £2 free bet any time they score or assist with Betfair. Applies to the first bet placed on the World Cup FIFA Golden Boot market only. Applies to bets placed from 9am Thursday November 10th until 3.59pm Sunday November 20th. Max free £2 bet per goal or assist your selection has throughout the tournament. T&Cs apply.

*Betfair £30 in free bets. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk