Australia vs Portugal Betting Tips: Predictions & Best Bets

It's been a Rugby World Cup to forget for Australia as they are set to be sent crashing out at the pool stages in France after defeats against Fiji and Wales, but Eddie Jones' men will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways on Sunday and they have an ideal chance when they take on Portugal in Saint-Etienne.

Portugal grabbed their first points of the 2023 Rugby World Cup with an 18-18 draw with Georgia, but they will head into their meeting with Australia as huge outsiders and Steve Chambers predicts a tough afternoon for the Europeans, who could struggle to hold back a wounded Wallaby outfit...

Australia v Portugal Tips

Australia -35.5 points on handicap

One of the most dismal performances in Australian rugby history last weekend saw the Wallabies suffer an embarrassing 40-6 defeat to Wales and Eddie Jones, who continues to come in for huge criticism, has the tough task of trying to rally his troops ahead of Sunday's clash with Portugal. A virtual miracle is needed for the Aussies to join Wales in the knockout stages, as they need Fiji to suffer shock defeats, but they will certainly be looking to get pride back on the badge as they face a Portugal side that have only picked up one draw all tournament.

A gutsy draw against Georgia last week saw Portugal record their first points, but they will be huge 14/1 outsiders to win the game in 80 minutes, while Australia are around the 1/50 mark with some bookmakers to return to winning ways. Confidence is understandably low in the Australian camp, but while their squad may not be challenging for major honours here they should still have far too much firepower for their Portuguese rivals and they could well overpower their opponents on Sunday.

There's arguably some value in taking a chance on Australia recapturing their mojo in this event as they will just be looking to play on the front foot from the get go and show what they can do, so why not take a real chance in the handicap market and bet Australia-35.5 points in the handicap betting and that is an eye-catching 15/4 with BetVictor. If Australia can get a decent stranglehold in the game in the first half then they could well pull further and further clear of their rivals and it would be no shock to see them rack up 50 points against a Portugal side that lack attacking flare.

Australia -11.5 points on first half handicap

With Australia needing other results to go their way to maintain their slim chances of qualifying for the last-eight, it will be imperative that they get out of the blocks against a Portugal side that have only scored 26 points in their two Rugby World Cup matches, and it's the first half handicap market that is worth venturing into for the second bet of the game.

Stoke-based bookmaker bet365 are offering 10/11 about Australia -11.5 points in the first half handicap, which looks eye-catching, as the Wallabies are sure to look to try and rack up a host of tries in this contest and will put notable pressure on the Portuguese rearguard from the first whistle. Likely to be dominant in the territory stats, Australia's robustness at the scrum and talent in the backline could unlock the Portugal defence with ease and with Jones sure to send them out with a mission to make a slight amends for the Wales defeat then the Aussies can gain a 20-point lead at half-time.

In an enthralling Rugby World Cup so far, Australia have been the nation that has stuttered the most and they will be chomping at the bit to get back out on the pitch and try and get back on the winning thread, and they can do that with aplomb here.

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