By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
All eyes will be on the Principality Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Wales kick off their autumn campaign by welcoming Fiji to Cardiff.
This match holds significant importance for both teams. Wales will be looking to end their losing streak and secure their first win against another nation in 2024.
Fiji, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield. Both sides have shown promise but have yet to fully capitalise on it to achieve significant results.
The teams are evenly matched and will feel confident heading into the encounter. It promises to be an electrifying match, with some exciting betting options to explore.
Wales
Wales will feel confident heading into Cardiff, with a team that is brimming with potential. This past year has felt like an eternity for a team that has enjoyed tremendous success over the past decade.
Naturally, they were bound to go through a transitional period. As mentioned earlier, they have yet to secure a Test victory in 2024.
This has placed considerable pressure on Warren Gatland, who has responded by selecting a solid squad for the upcoming matches.
Wales will likely target the Fiji game as a winnable contest. They will be encouraged to see Gareth Anscombe returning to the fold at fly-half after recent struggles in the position.
His Gloucester teammate, Tomos Williams, has been on fire at Kingsholm and will be crucial to Wales’ success in the coming weeks.
The scrum-half’s creativity and flair could ignite a promising backline for Wales, as he appears to be entering his prime.
Captain Dewi Lake will aim to lead by example and bring a physical presence to the pitch with his dynamic running.
Wales should feel ready, knowing they are fully capable of achieving a significant result. Many of the top players are in good form, and with solid athletic depth and fewer injuries, the squad has a decent amount of depth.
Fiji
Fiji will look to put their poor performance in Edinburgh behind them as they head to the Welsh capital on Sunday.
The side showed some promising signs, scoring fantastic tries, but ultimately Scotland proved too strong for them.
A significant factor was Fijian discipline, as they conceded numerous penalties, allowing Scotland too many easy entries into the 22.
A couple of key players will be available to play in Cardiff despite international window restrictions.
However, they could be in for a challenging day if they don’t tighten up their discipline. The last meeting between the two teams was at the 2023 World Cup, where Wales edged out a narrow win in a game Fiji felt they could have won.
Fiji comes off a successful Pacific Nations Cup campaign, in which they captured the title. They are a dangerous side and will throw everything at their Welsh opposition.
The Bets
The game will likely be close, which could open the door for some interesting betting options. The best bet is for Wales to win by more than five points.
The squad is in a much better position than it was in the summer, and with the home advantage, Gatland’s side will look to secure a solid victory.
There is value in betting on Wales to win by more than 11 points; the squad possesses tremendous talent, and if Fiji concedes easy penalties, Wales could take control of the game.
For those who favour a long shot, Wales to win by a margin between one and seven points could be interesting, as recent meetings between the two sides have been close, adding an element of suspense and unpredictability to the match.
Best Bet: Wales to win by more than five points – 4/5
Value Bet: Wales to win by more than 11 points – 15/8
Longshot Bet: Wales to win by a margin between one and seven – 11/4
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