Wales vs Portugal tips and suggested bets: Gatland's troops to deliver a World Cup smacking

The Rugby World Cup has never passed without at least one team failing to score and the first instance of drawing a blank might just come from Portugal.
Wales are a well-organised side who are unlikely to give Portugal anything at all.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has made 13 changes from the team that defeated Fiji 32-26 in Bordeaux last weekend.

Only wing Louis Rees-Zammit and number eight Taulupe Faletau remain from that line-up, with four players – Mason Grady, Johnny Williams, skipper Dewi Lake and Christ Tshiunza – making their World Cup debuts.

A second successive bonus-point win would keep Wales firmly on course for the quarter-finals – their minimum return from the last three World Cups.

Gatland, meanwhile, will set a new World Cup record of 16 wins as a coach, going one above Australia head coach Eddie Jones, if Wales triumph.

Gatland has only overseen three pool-stage defeats in World Cup history, against Australia 24 years ago when he was Ireland boss, then South Africa in 2011 with Wales and against the Wallabies again four years later.

Wales made more than 240 tackles to repel Fiji, and although rain is forecast on the French Riviera this weekend, it is their attacking game that should now flourish.

 

 

Who kicks for Wales will determine much of where the money goes on this contest with two strong candidates to be the man chosen to handle the tee.

Leigh Halfpenny has been picked at fullback as Wales look to unleash their exciting young wingers on the minnows but flyhalf Gareth Anscombe is also a capable goal-kicker.

Halfpenny is the smart choice to end up with the top points tally as the veteran is most likely to go the 80 and could also get on the board with a try if he supports the wings well.

When it comes to the first try of the match, you would have to fancy that either Louis Rees-Zammit or Rio Dyer will cross the whitewash first given the way Wales play.

Bookies offer generous odds of Portugal keeping Wales under 70 points but the Dragons are very strong favourites in the unconditional win market and you'll need to spice up your slip for value on them taking the victory over Portugal.

Portugal might just be able to tip a generous handicap in their favour if Wales are misfiring in attack.

However, looking down the Wales backline it looks like Portugal will struggle to contain their opponents.

Wales might be good value to become the first team to cross the 100 mark in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Portugal to win is sheer madness and would rank as the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.

 

Wales vs Portugal predictions:

Louis Rees-Zammit to score first try

Leigh Halfpenny to be top points scorer

Total match points more than 59.5 points