Wales vs Ireland
7th February 1500hrs
Rugby – Wales – Six Nations
Pick Ireland +4 handicap
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: Even money odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February
After such a poor Six Nations campaign last year, Wales will be looking for a major step forward under head coach Wayne Pivac in 2021.
He’s had some time now to get his feet under the desk probably, so will that translate to a bit of home cheer for Wales on Sunday?
Ireland were competitive in last year’s title race but couldn’t do enough to get their hands on the crown.
This campaign begins with a very tricky away match for them.
Table of Contents
Wales Preview – Can Wales open on a positive note?
This is a fresh new start for Wales under Wayne Pivac after his debut season as head coach in the Six Nations didn’t go well.
Wales went W1 L5 in last season’s campaign and they have a tricky opener here.
In the match outright for this contest, Wales are at 6/4* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
After winning their opening fixture of the 2020 campaign against Italy, things went downhill quickly for Wales.
They lost six games on the spin, stretching into the Autumn Nations Cup, where the losing streak was ended in an unconvincing display against Georgia.
Can they turn that around? That’s the real question here.
In such a short period, that does look to be questionable.
So we would have to side with the bookies in that they are home underdogs.
Wales will be without Liam Williams and winger Josh Adams with George North potentially lining up in the centre as he did in the Autumn Nations Cup.
In last season’s campaign, Wales lost in Ireland 24-14.
Wales have won three of their last four home fixtures against the Irish however.
That includes their 2019 Six Nations win over the Irish by a 25-7 victory.
But are Wales at that kind of level at the moment?
Home and away Wales have lost four of the last five against Ireland and that tells a very different picture, therefore.
Three of the last four losses that Wales have taken against Ireland have been by a margin of at least nine points.
The bookies are expecting a tighter match though as a Wales +4 handicap is in at even money* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
Ireland Preview – Ireland to take the win in their opener?
It is fair to say that the attacking game of Ireland under head coach Andy Farrell really hasn’t come into fruition yet.
It’s been a slow grind to get there and that perhaps is the one question mark over Ireland.
Can they play to the plan that Farrell has for them?
They are going into the game on Sunday in Cardiff as the 5/8 favourites in the match betting* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
Ireland were in the mix for the title in the 2020 Six Nations campaign but came up short.
They had to go to France on the final day and take a win big enough to topple England’s points difference at the top.
Ireland lost 35-27 in a pulsating match, but the defence of the Irish always looked vulnerable to the pace of France.
But Wales aren’t likely to throw the ball around as much as the French can do.
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In their final Autumn Nations Cup match, Ireland secured a comfortable 31-16 over Scotland, who did beat Wales as well in last season’s Six Nations.
We don’t see the explosive scoring threat from Ireland, but we see them controlling enough of the game to win this fixture.
The Ireland 1-10 winning margin is at 9/5 for the fixture in rugby betting* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
The Irish probably won’t care about the manner of victory in Cardiff, as long as they leave with the four points in their pocket.
Wales vs Ireland Betting Advice
We are going straight to the win for Ireland as our selection in Six Nations rugby betting on this match.
The win for Ireland is at 5/8 and not a bad place to start with at least* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
But we can spot a couple of longer-odds options that are worth pulling into consideration.
Key Facts – Wales vs Ireland Betting Tip
- Wales have won three of their last four home Six Nations games against Ireland
- Wales lost five of their six matches in the 2020 Six Nations
- Ireland have won 4 of the last 5 meetings with Wales
Certainly, an Ireland -4 handicap looks a good proposition for even money* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February 2021).
We see that as being feasible for an Ireland side even if it’s just through second-half kicks at goal.
The other is the 1-10 winning margin for the visitors at 9/5* (odds taken 13:13 GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
The best betting odds for Wales vs Ireland
Wales to win: 11/8 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Ireland to win: 4/6 at Bet365
