Adam Scriven's best bets for England's opener against Argentina include a winner and points total.
England head into the 2023 World Cup with a point to prove and face Argentina on Saturday in a game that will go a long way to deciding which nation will top Pool D.
Confidence in the England camp might be somewhat fragile after their recent results and the loss of key personnel to suspension makes Saturday’s encounter at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille all the more challenging against a battle-hardened Los Pumas side.
Argentina can pile further pressure on England
Heading into the 2023 World Cup following a 30-22 home defeat to Fiji highlights England’s current situation.
Head coach Eddie Jones departed at the end of last year, and his successor Steve Borthwick has not had the impact he would have liked with the Red Rose.
Losing their opening game of his tenure against old rivals Scotland at Twickenham set the tone for a 2023 Six Nations that would see England win just two games.
A 53-10 defeat to France at Twickenham set alarm bells ringing, before defeat to Ireland 29-16 in their last Six Nations outing.
Wales enjoyed a 20-9 win over England in Cardiff, before Borthwick’s side got their revenge at Twickenham a week later in the World Cup warm-up games.
Another defeat to Ireland in Dublin was followed by a first-ever loss to a Tier 2 nation in the form of the Flying Fijians at Rugby HQ.
Argentina will have looked back on England’s games over the last year and should see areas to attack in Marseille.
The last time these sides met in 2022, Argentina ran out 30-29 winners at Twickenham and Los Pumas look capable of securing another win here, with England set to miss the influence of suspended skipper Owen Farrell and powerhouse No.8 Billy Vunipola.
Expect points at Stade Velodrome
Games between these nations tend to be high-scoring affairs and Saturday’s Pool D encounter in the south of France should be no different.
In the last five meetings going back to 2017, 279 total points have been scored, at an average of 55.8 points per game.
There were 59 points scored in the Autumn International at Twickenham last year, so over 49.5 total points is certainly worth considering at a good price for this weekend’s clash in Marseille.
Tips
Argentina to win @ 19/20
Over 49.5 total points @ 13/10
