The Rugby World Cup kicks off today.

In the outright winner market, one team’s odds really caught my attention. Australia at 18.5 odds to win . I’ll have me some of that.

In the Pool winner market, I see some short odds lays which I’ll be placing at Betfair. Laying Ireland as Pool A winner at 1.38 is reasonable. Laying New Zealand at 1.43 to win Pool B, and laying England to win Pool C at 1.38 appeals.

What other tactics will I be employing this World Cup? I will be laying any team at odds of 1.05 or shorter ( i.e. £100 stake wins £5!)

Early qualifiers here ?

  • Japan at 1.02 odds v Russia.
  • Italy at 1.05 to lay v Namibia
  • England at 1.03 odds to lay v Tonga
  • Wales at 1.04 odds to lay v Georgia.

This is, after all, the World Cup and certainly for me, sides such as Tonga could put up some firm resistance.

Do remember that you can trade any significant price movements. Liabilities in all cases are extremely short.

We’re looking for that one glimmer of hope. Cast your minds back to 2010. The Soccer World Cup.Italy were playing New Zealand.

New Zealand took the lead. Italy could only equalise via a penalty.

Shocks do occur!

Now I admit I am no Rugby expert. I love watching the sport but my knowledge base is weak. Here are a few websites you might like to make use of this World Cup

rugby4cast.com

Provides ‘handicap’ bets. I alluded to the short odds of some selections earlier on. Handicap bets provide you with an entry point which promises a better return.

Click on the match of interest and you’ll be taken to some form pages for the sides. The last 10 matches for each side are featured.

I do like betting via stats, and head to heads.

https://rugby4cast.com/predictions/rugby-world-cup/rugby-world-cup-2019/japan-v-russia-20190920/  is the link for today’s opening match for instance.

http://www.rugbydata.com/

Whilst some of the articles are out-dated, there is a head-to-heads stats facility at this website which can help you determine which teams are the dominant forces when they meet and, importantly, whether there is a consistent gap in points. Remember, handicap bets can provide a way for you to up your returns when there is an ultra short odds favourite in the match.

http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html

Another great stats facility for the Rugby World Cup.

When using their search facility, select ‘Team Records’ for the teams. You can then investigate head to heads across a number of criteria ( home for example when Japan are playing!).

This may identify a bet or two this World Cup.

For those so inclined, there is a top try scorer market at Betfair where the shortest odds are about 8/1. It might be worth exploring.

Using the Player Records facility, why not take some of the top try scorer favourites through the stats in order to create a shortlist of possible bets?

Sevu Reece leads the field in this market and has only 3 matches in the stats field, with 3 starts and 2 tries. Importantly he was not a substitute. You don’t necessarily want to back players who will be warming the bench. They cannot score from there.

https://rugby.statbunker.com/

Select ‘World Cup’ and you can keep an eye on Scoring Stats, Discipline, general and Match Stats .

http://www.goalkickers.co.za/

This website may help you if you want to back in the Tournament Top Scorer market. This market is likely to feature a heavy bias towards the kickers.

Jonny Sexton of Ireland has an outstanding conversion rate and leads the 6 Nations kickers.

At 14.00, I may have a tickle!

Leigh Halfpenny at odds of 40 also appeals ( this market is illiquid on Betfair so bookmakers’ markets are recommended) Halfpenny has an outstanding conversion rate for those difficult kicks.

If you are interested in betting in the World Cup, let the stats lead the way. And good luck with your plays! These websites should prove very useful to you.