Couch Critic previews Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter final clash between Wales and France with best bets from @Olimp_SA

It’s knockout rugby time! Here is how I see things going down in the quarter final between Wales and France.

Wales vs France, Sunday 20 October @ 09:15 (Oita)

What you need to know

Wales were able to do the business and get the job done over Australia to claim top spot in their Pool. France also escaped with a telling victory in their crucial Pool decider against Argentina. Both struggled to dominate the smaller teams when testing their depth as Wales struggled past Fiji and even Uruguay whilst the French were pushed to the very end by Tonga. The Welsh have a settled unit (with solid workhorses such as Alun Wyn-Jones and Ken Owens) who understand their game plan and tactics whilst France remain a volatile unit but one which has some incredible x-factor like Du Pont and Raka in their ranks.

How I see it panning out

I have always maintained that the French are a difficult side to call right. I did tip them to finish fourth and a victory here will ensure this bet stays alive. I think Les Blues have a decent enough shot at achieving the victory but at the end of the day I have to side with the work ethic of the Welsh. Their game is suited to knockout rugby and they showed against the Wallabies that they know how to grind out a win even when the chips are down. It’s this characteristic which has seen them rise to the sharp end of the World Rankings in recent times.

Betting Strategy

The value arguably lies with the French in this one as they could get up and beat anyone on their day – they certainly have the strength up front and the flair at the back. Yet I can’t get myself to stray from this workmanlike Welsh outfit who’ve proved that they know exactly how to get the result in tight tussles. I see Wales holding on for a narrow win in Oita on Sunday to progress to the Semi Finals. Josh Adams has been in sublime tryscoring form on the wing but in a tight match I’m looking for Gareth Davies at scrumhalf to snatch a sneaky score somewhere which will prove crucial.

Betolimp Best Bet: Wales to win by 1-7 @ 3.54

Betolimp Value Play: France/Wales @ 5.29

Special Play 1: Wales to win by 1-12 points @ 2.25

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

Couch Critic