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Wales will look to go some way to securing their path to the quarter finals of the rugby world cup when they go up against Namibia on Monday.
Warren Gatland’s side came within inches of causing the shock of the tournament in their first game against South Africa as they threatened to topple the reigning world champions.
The Springboks fought back to claim victory to break Welsh hearts, before the Red Dragon breathed fire once more to overcome Samoa in their second pool game in another tight contest.
With one defeat and one loss in their first two games, Wales will now look to over-power the whipping boys of pool D and put one foot in the knockout stages.
Namibia have conceded the most points out of every team at the World Cup so far, shipping 185 points in just three games, and they will have to do something out of the ordinary if they are to avoid a beating similar to their first two outings.
Gatland will look to use all of the resources at his disposal for the game against Namibia, and will likely to field a weakened side ahead of the showdown against Fiji seven days later.
In fact, only four players remain from the side that got the better of Samoa last weekend, with Jonathan Davies, lock Alun-Wyn Jones, skipper Sam Warburton and No.8 Toby Faletau keeping their places in the starting XV.
Lee Byrne will be hopeful of making an impact and putting a case forward for a regular starting spot with an effervescent performance after being selected to start at full back, while Stephen Jones is set to finally break the record for most international appearances for Wales having been selected at full back.
Another World cup debutant is Ryan Jones, whose tournament so far has been dogged by injury. The former skipper missed the entire 2007 tournament but will start on the blindside with Warburton and Faletau completing the back row.
James Hook (shoulder) and flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle) are injured for the game while Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Paul James, Huw Bennett and Adam Jones are all left out of the matchday squad with one eye on the game against Fiji.
The two sides haven’t met in eighteen years and have never played at the World Cup. In the three games between the two, Wales have won all three, running out 38-23 victors the last time they met back in 1993.
Match Winner
Wales are heavy favourites for the game, with Bet365 offering odds as short as 1.00 (1/2000) on Warren Gatland’s side emerging victorious.
Ladbrokes offer slightly more generous match odds, 1.00 (1/750), although in truth there is little point in backing Wales unless you are willing to bet huge.
Namibia are 151.00 (150/1) win StanJames to cause a massive upset although it may be worth saving your money and looking at some different markets.
Winning Margin
If the game goes with the form then Wales should run out winners by a huge margin, although the fact they are fielding a weakened side may have an impact on the amount of points they may win by.
@ Paddy Power are offering 7.00 (6/1) on the Welsh winning by a margin of 31-40 points, a tempting bet that could come through if Wales ease of the gas with the game already in the bag.
A big win could be on the cards and SportingBet are offering 9.00 (8/1) on the Welsh winning by 61-65, while a margin of 71-75 is certainly worth paying attention too, especially with BlueSQ offering 15.00 (14/1).
Recommended Bets
Lee Byrne, first try scorer: 9.00 (8/1) Paddy Power
Lee Halfpenny, man of the match: 7.00 (6/1) Paddy Power
