Wales and Italy meet at the Principality stadium in the final round match of the Guinness Six Nations. Both teams have only academic interest in the competition as they have no bearing on who wins the title. The home team and defending champions are in fifth position with the visitors propping up the table with no points. Wales have lost their last two matches against France and England respectively but were only one try away from victory in both matches. They entered both matches as rank underdogs but punched well above their weight to come close to causing an upset.
TIP: Wales will be boosted by the return of skipper Alun Wyn Jones for this match and anything but a bonus point win will be regarded as a massive failure. Wales have won their last 16 matches against Italy with their last defeat against the Italians coming in 2007.Italy extended their unwanted record with defeat in their last match against Scotland. Their 33-22 loss was their 36th consecutive defeat in the Six Nations with their last win coming in the final match of the 2015 competition. The bookies have the Welsh as heavy favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.01, Playabets 1.01 and Sunbet 1.01.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Wales vs Italy
- Wales have won their last 17 matches against Italy.
- Italy last beat Wales in 2007
- Wales won the last match between these sides 48-7.
Latest results for both teams
Wales lost their last match 13-9 against France while Italy lost 33-22 to Scotland in their last match.
PREDICTION
Italy did show a marked improvement in the last match with the 11 point loss the smallest margin of defeat in this year’s competition. Italy did however unearth a future star in winger Ange Capuozzo as the diminutive 22 year old scored two great tries on his debut. Italy have lost their last 16 away matches across all competitions with their last away victory coming against Japan in 2018. Wales have recalled Louis Rees-Zammit to the team and he will be raring to go after his injury. I am predicting Wales to dominate from the first whistle and to win by more than 30 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Wales
15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (captain), 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Seb Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones(captain, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Italy
15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Montanna Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Wales victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.01
Playabets 1.01
Sunbet 1.01
Odds comparison on the Wales handicap :
The complete odds on the Wales handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-27.5) 1.91
Sunbet (-27.5) 1.89
Playabets (-27.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
Wales will want to build on their narrow losses they suffered in the last two matches and nothing but a resounding victory in this match will suffice. Italy as well will want to continue their upward trend especially in attack where they looked very lively against the Scots There are no returns on the Wales win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap for best returns. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-27.5) 1.91, Sunbet (-27.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-27.5) 1.81
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.
