Ireland vs Fiji – Match Preview

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports

Ireland are set to host Fiji at the Aviva Stadium for their third game of the Autumn Nations Series.

Andy Farrell’s side is preparing for a fierce battle against a dangerous Fijian team. The Irish, fresh from a resilient win against Argentina, are keen to build momentum before Joe Schmidt’s Australia arrives next week.

Fiji, a team known for their competitiveness, is expected to give Ireland a run for their money.

The match in Dublin is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with plenty of exciting betting options adding to the anticipation.

Ireland

Ireland came into the autumn as the number one ranked side in the world. However, after a disappointing loss to New Zealand, the team was knocked off the top spot.

Last Friday, they achieved a hard-fought 22-19 win against Argentina. Despite a high penalty count, Ireland secured a narrow victory.

This win against Argentina significantly boosted their confidence and is a testament to their resilience.

Farrell’s squad has three wins and two losses in their previous five games, averaging 21 points per game. When their attack clicks, they are almost impossible to stop as everything flows tremendously well.

Looking at key players for the game, the first person that comes to mind is Sam Prendergast, who has garnered a lot of attention, with many seeing him as the heir to the great Johnny Sexton.

The young Irishman is a joy to watch and has been playing some enthralling rugby in the blue of Leinster.

In the front row, Thomas Clarkson made his debut coming off the bench; the prop put in a solid display and will look to make a similar impact on Saturday.

Of course, winger James Lowe must be mentioned—he is always dangerous when on the ball. The plan for Ireland will be to put on a dominant display in front of their home crowd on Saturday.

Fiji

Fiji are no longer a pushover for tier-one nations, as they have the talent and tactical knowledge to win games at the highest level.

Last week, they secured a win against Spain, following their historic victory against Wales. Fiji claimed their first win in Cardiff thanks to an impressive performance over the Welsh.

They have won two games and lost three in their last five outings, averaging 24 points per game. Coming into the autumn, the side would have had a lot of confidence after winning the Pacific Cup.

They will need key players like Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova, and Caleb Muntz to be at their best to beat Ireland.

You can particularly notice the difference Muntz makes to the team; his game management is second to none.

Overall, their backline is incredibly athletic, and any defence would struggle to contain them.

However, their forward pack has improved tremendously, giving them a solid platform to attack from. Fiji will head to Dublin aiming to shock the world and upset the Irish juggernaut.

The Bets

It looks like we could be in for an entertaining clash on Saturday, which leaves the door open for a few exciting betting options.

The best bet is for Ireland to win by more than 19.5 points; the Irish have an abundance of talent in their squad and, on paper, should be comfortable victors.

There is good value in the total number of points being between 41 and 50; both teams have shown an ability to score at will, and if the game is open, many points could be on the cards.

For those who like a long shot, Fiji scoring between 14.5 and 17.5 could be of interest because they average over 20 points per game, though the Irish defence is a different kettle of fish from what they have been facing.

• Best Bet: Ireland to win by more than 19.5 points – 17/20
• Value Bet: Total number of points to be between 41 and 50 – 3/1
• Longshot Bet: Fiji to score between 14.5 and 17.5 – 11/2

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