Wales vs Argentina Prediction & Betting Tips 14/10/2023
Wales will be aiming to secure a third Rugby World Cup semi-final appearance in the last four tournaments when they tackle Argentina on Saturday afternoon.
Wales vs Argentina 16:00, Preview
It is a first World Cup meeting between Wales and the Pumas since 1999, with the Six Nations side the firm favourites.
The quarter-final clash in Marseille comes after Wales collected 19 points from a possible 20 to dominate the pool; producing key victories over Fiji and Australia.
Head coach Warren Gatland has certainly turned things around after a miserable Six Nations campaign that saw them win just one game.
He has a 100 per cent record as Wales boss against the Pumas of played six, won six.
Meanwhile, Argentina have found it tough going, losing to 14-man England before posting an unimpressive win against Samoa and then qualifying as Pool D runners-up.
However, Wales are without key number eight Taulupe Faletau, who broke his arm against Georgia, and his experience will leave a huge hole in the pack.
Aaron Wainwright moves across from blindside flanker to fill the void at number eight, while skipper Jac Morgan takes the number six shirt.
Morgan is relatively inexperienced but has led Wales superbly in key pool-stage victories and could play a big part in securing another win.
Dan Biggar is back at fly-half after recovering from a pectoral muscle injury suffered against Australia almost three weeks ago, and he holds the key to Wales’ progression to the semi-final.
Liam Williams has also been passed fit to start against Argentina, while centre George North will become the first Welshman to feature in four World Cup quarter-finals.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has made two changes from the side that secured a quarter-final place by beating Japan in Nantes last weekend.
Scrum-half Thomas Cubelli replaces Gonzalo Bertranou, while Facundo Isa is chosen in the back-row instead of Pablo Matera, who suffered a tournament-ending hamstring injury during the Japan game.
Cubelli has played just 110 minutes of Test rugby this year, starting against Spain and Chile.
Wales have lost only two of their last 11 Tests against Argentina and are firm favourites in Marseille, and we are predicting a fairly easy ride into the semi-finals.
The bookmakers are wise to the threat posed by Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit and he is the favourite to score first in this quarter-final.
With Biggar returning it signals that Wales will be trying to play a low-risk game against Argentina, suggesting that the Dragons should concede less penalties than Argentina.
Wales should be good to secure a 6-10 point win over Argentina when stacking up the sides.
Wales vs Argentina 16:00, Prediction
Wales win 1-12 points inclusive
Rees-Zammit first try scorer
Wales to win both halves – yes
