Wales vs Argentina
This promises to be the pick of the weekend internationals. The Welsh team looked great in their demolition of the Canadian team in the previous mach. The Argentineans were the total opposite as they struggled to beat a Romanian team. With Argentina you know that they will lift their game against the top nations therefore Wales can expect a different Argentina team in this match. The Wales team has been severely depleted with Lions call ups to half their team while Leigh Halfpenny suffered a serious injury against Canada. Argentina will be selecting a near full strength team led by new captain Julián Montoya. Montoya for so long playing in the shadow of the great Agustín Creevy finally gets his chance and will be keen to inflict defat on this weakened Welsh team. The Argentinians struggled for fluency against Romania and will be hoping that their attack finds that fluency that they are so famous for. The Welsh on the other hand looked great and their flyhalf Callum Sheedy set the tone with his excellent distribution to his exciting backline. Wales have been blessed with great wingers in recent time and Jonah Holmes in particular has looked in great form all season. Argentina will be looking to their flyhalf kingpin Nicolás Sánchez to ignite their dangerous backs. Players like Santiago Cordero and Juan Imhoff can rip any defence to shreds. The Argentinians have arguably the best flanker in the world in ex Captain Pablo Matera; the guy is quick and almost unstoppable once he gets on a run. The Welsh defence will have their hands full trying to contain him.
TIP: The match will be closely contested and the forward battle could well decide the result. I think the Welsh could have the advantage in the pack as they have players like Aaron Wainwright and Ross Moriarty who are first team regulars with the national team. Argentina once famed for having the strongest scrumming unit in rugby have regressed alarmingly in this regard. The Welsh will look to target hem at scrum time. If the Welsh have the advantage in the forwards then the Argentinians have the better backline. Sanchez can be brilliant on his day and if he is on form then the South Americans will win this encounter. Both teams have excellent goal kickers and they will be to be well disciplined otherwise they will be punished. The bookies have the Welsh as favourites but I fancy the Argentinians to cause an upset in this match. The best odds on the upset victory are at: Worldsportsbetting 3.10, Playabets 3.00 and Sunbet 2.75
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Wales vs Argentina
- In the last five meetings between the sides there have been four Welsh victories to a lone Argentine win
- The last four matches have been won by Wales.
- The last time Argentina beat Wales was in 2012.
Latest results for both teams
Wales beat Canada 68-12 in their last match while Argentina defeated Romania 24-17 in their last game.
PREDICTION
The Welsh team’s depth will be severely tested in this match and the Argentinians will feel they have the best possible chance to cause an upset. They have shown last year when they beat the All Blacks that on their day they can beat anybody depending which team shows up. They have the flair and the players but their biggest problem is always their discipline. They need to control their aggression otherwise Sheedy will punish them. The battle between the loose trios will be fierce and if the Welsh can stop Matera then they will stop the backline of Argentina from dominating. It is his runs and offloads that get them on the front foot. The Welsh have great depth but I think the Argentinians have more quality throughout their team and that is why I predict an away victory by three points
- Probable Starting XVs
Wales
15 Hallam Amos, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Uilisi Halaholo, 12 Jonathan Davies (c), 11 Owen Lane, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 James Botham, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith
Argentina
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Francisco Gorrissen, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Facundo Gigena
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Argentina victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 3.10
Playabets 3.00
Sunbet 2.75
Odds comparison on the Argentina handicap:
The complete odds on the Argentina handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+6.5) 1.90
Playabets (+5.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+6.5) 1.90
Predictions and Odds in details
This is a perfect opportunity for these Welsh players to stake a claim for a permanent spot even when their British & Irish stars return. The likes of James Botham and Hallam Amos so often on the fringes of selection will want to prove they deserve a starting berth in the full strength team. The man that has the most to prove is Captain Jonathan Davies. He was the player of the series in the last Lions tour and didn’t even make the team this time around. His partnership with Uilisi Halaholo is excellent and their battle with Matías Moroni and Jerónimo De la Fuente will be mouth-watering. The match will be very tight and the replacement could make the difference in the last quarter. The already stretched Welsh team have the weaker bench as Argentina can call on the like of Facundo Isa from the bench. The bookies have a great return in the upset victory but if you looking for a safe bet then I suggest Argentina on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+6.5) 1.90, Playabets (+5.5) 1.90 and Sunbet (+6.5) 1.90
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
