NEW ZEALAND V URUGUAY- POOL A OL STADIUM, LYON, FRIDAY, 6.00AM
It is pretty clear that the All Blacks are trying to run themselves into form by beating up on minnows and that puts Uruguay fully and completely at their mercy. Off a 96-17 win over Italy, the All Blacks are clearly able to score at will. Uruguay have covered all three this World Cup but will be hard-pressed to make it four straight. The All Blacks should cover the big number here.
Betting Strategy
FRANCE V ITALY- POOL A OL STADIUM, LYON, SATURDAY, 6.00AM
France and Italy have been annual opponents in the Six Nations tournament and despite France winning 13 straight, this is not a matchup that has got regularly out of hand. France won just 29-24 in Rome this year while the biggest margin over the last decade has been 40 with two results bigger than 28. Off a hammering at the hands of the All Blacks, Gli Azzurri should be able to cover the big number.
Betting Strategy
IRELAND V SCOTLAND- POOL B STADE DE FRANCE, PARIS, SUNDAY, 6.00AM
Surprisingly Ireland and Scotland are meeting on the World Cup stage for just the third time. Scotland won back in 1991 but more notably Ireland were victorious 27-3 in Japan. Ireland have certainly dominated this matchup in recent years with eight straight wins dating back to 2018 and 12 victories in the last 13 across the last decade. Three of Ireland's last four wins have been by at least 15 points. Scotland have been much-improved this World Cup but Ireland look far too strong.
Betting Strategy
TONGA V ROMANIA- POOL B STADE PIERRE-MAUROY, LILLE, MONDAY, 2.45AM
This is without question one of the best bets of Week 5 of the World Cup. Tonga should be laying at least two converted tries more. Romania have been a complete mess this World Cup after their controversial exclusion last World Cup. They have conceded at least 76 in all three games. Tonga have not conceded more than 59 and have played all three opponents better to the tune of 45, 56 and 31. The minus is a quality bet.
Betting Strategy
WALES V GEORGIA- POOL C STADE DE LA BEAUJOIRE, NANTES, SUNDAY, 12.00AM
Georgia remarkably defeated Wales the last time they met, winning 13-12. Wales had won the three meetings prior but only one of those matches had a margin of bigger than 18. Georgia have also covered their two matches this World Cup as an underdog with losses of five to Fiji and 20 to the Wallabies. Wales have been airborne but this number is too large.
Betting Strategy
ENGLAND V SAMOA- POOL D STADE PIERRE-MAUROY, LILLE, SUNDAY, 2.45AM
England have marched their way through the World Cup in style and should have little problem disposing of Samoa. The last time these teams met England won 48-14 and they are in better form this time around. Samoa have shown plenty of pluck but with their tournament done it is hard to see them staying with England.
Betting Strategy
JAPAN V ARGENTINA- POOL D STADE DE LA BEAUJOIRE, NANTES, SUNDAY, 10.00PM
Japan look a very nice bet to cover the double digit start against Argentina. The Pumas have been very disappointing but remain in the box seat to advance. They come up against a plucky – and underrated – Japan team though that rolled Samoa and Chile and were hardly embarrassed against England. This number should be closer to a converted try.
Betting Strategy
FIJI V PORTUGAL- POOL C, STADE DE TOULOUSE, TOULOUSE, MONDAY, 6:00AM
Portugal have been highly underrated this World Cup with three straight covers. They have been particularly sound defensively, conceding just 26.67 points per game, a very impressive return from a so-called minnow. Fiji look all but certain to advance but will need a win in this but will likely rely on their defence to do so having scored just 21.67 points a game. Portugal have not lost by more than 20 this World Cup.
Betting Strategy
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