RUGBY WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS: ENGLAND COULD HAVE WINGS CLIPPED BY EAGLES
THERE have been some upsets in Japan so far.
Uruguay’s win over Fiji yesterday followed an opening few days of predictable outcomes but closer than expected score lines.
Italy were only able to overcome Namibia, who are the real minnows of this Rugby World Cup, by 25 points, just a point less than Ireland dismissed Scotland by, while England’s 35-3 win over Tonga was maybe slightly underwhelming.
The growing theme of this tournament is that the Pool matches are far less one-sided than many, and particularly the bookies, anticipated and this morning’s clash between England and the USA could be another shining example of that.
Having set the handicap in the mid- 30s, Sporting Index are expecting Eddie Jones’ men to optimise all of their experience and ability to thrash the Americans by a convincing score line.
On paper that’s not inconceivable, and anything but a comfortable win for the Red Rose would be an underperformance, but the USA are no whipping boys.
They’ve won six of their nine matches in 2019, with defeats coming at the hands of decent Japan, Uruguay and Argentina sides, while their sole loss in 2018 came against a tough Maori All Blacks team.
Last year marked a historic win over the Scots for the Eagles too, and this morning they’ll be taking on a much changed England side.
Beastly number eight Billy Vunipola, flanker Tom Curry and prop Joe Marler are three of just five players from England’s XV against Tonga that start again today, and though the forward replacements look more than solid, with the likes of George Kruis and Dan Cole stepping in, the back line houses four players with less than 10 caps and could lack a bit of chemistry.
George Ford at fly half is not a problem, while Joe Cokanasiga, Jonathan Joseph and Elliot Daly will all have claims for a more regular first team place, but scrum half Will Heinz is yet to get England ticking and both Piers Francis and Ruaridh Mc- Connochie have plenty to prove.
Against a USA side that will have their tails up for their first game of the tournament, England shouldn’t underestimate the challenge in front of them.
Though they are a very sure bet to make it two from two, you won’t get rich backing them at 1/100 and Sporting Index’s supremacy market is more appealing.
They’re predicting England to win by 34-37 points, with punters able to sell at the lower figure and hope for a tighter contest or buy at 37 and wait for the tries to roll in.
There’s every chance that a wake-up call from Jones along with fresh faces in the team could spark England to life after a very mediocre win over Tonga, but even then a 37-point win is a fairly big ask and selling at 34 looks a better position.
We could be looking at a win in the 20s for England and Sporting Index, who are now offering fixed odds alongside their spread betting product, price up England to win by 21-25 points at 15/2.
Winning margins of 31-35 points can be backed at 6/1, as can 26-30, so the 15/2 on just a kick or a try less looks the value.
ITALY V CANADA 8.45AM
Earlier this morning, Italy take on Canada and they too will be hoping to show a bit more than they did in their 20-point win over Namibia.
The handicap line for this one is set at around 20 points with most firms, and though the Azzurri don’t possess the most dynamic attack in the world, Canada have had a rough run of results recently and should be put to the sword here.
Italy to win by 26-30 points is a nice price at 13/2 with Sporting Index, while the first half handicap betting could also provide an early profit.
There’s no reason why Italy shouldn’t go into the interval with a healthy advantage, so the 5/6 on them holding a lead over seven points after 40 minutes looks worth taking too.
POINTERS
Italy Win 26-30 13/2
Italy (-7.5) Win HT 5/6
Sell England 34
England Win 21-25 15/2