Italy vs Canada Prediction & Betting Tips - Rugby World Cup

Prediction published on 24/09/2019, 09:34  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/09/2019 at 10:35 in Rugby World Cup Prediction

Italy are ranked 14th in the world and that's eight places above their opponents Canada. They face each other in Pool B of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and it's a key match for both countries. Neither are expected to finish in the top two ahead of New Zealand or South Africa, so their target is to finish third and avoid having to qualify for the 2023 tournament. Italy are much more comfortable when playing teams like Canada, than their annual Six Nations struggles. They have played the Canadian side nine times in the past and won seven of them. They have never made it out of the pool stage in this tournament winning 11 games and losing 17.

Canada actually have made it out of the pool stage and reached the last eight. That was back in 1991 though and since then they have always been eliminated in their pool. It's not looking promising for them this year with their only positive head-to-head record being against Namibia. World Cup warm-up results included a 20-15 loss to the USA and a narrow loss to Irish club side Leinster. Italy can be backed to win this match and be ahead at both half and full time.