Argentina vs Chile Betting Tips: Two predictions for Rugby World Cup battle of neighbours

The Argentinians were fancied as a Rugby World Cup dark horse by many, but so far have looked laboured in their performances. Their neighbours Chile shouldn't prove too much of a challenge for Los Pumas, but this game is all about building confidence as they aim for the knockout rounds.

Billy Grimshaw has studied the form and team lists and has a couple of tips worth considering...

The first ever clash between two South American nations at a Rugby World Cup will be a historic occasion regardless of the result. The result will be an Argentinian win, but the question is by how many points and how impressive will Los Pumas be, as well as analysing the bravery of the minnows Chile. Argentina's coach Michael Cheika has rung the changes to keep his squad fresh and give some of the fringe players a run out in a game they should cruise home in, while Los Condores have also made plenty of changes after the 71-0 demolition inflicted on them by England..

This will be Chile's final game at the tournament and unfortunately for them it looks like it'll head the same way of the other three, a defeat and conceding 40+ points. Argentina have looked far from their best so far in this World Cup, especially in terms of point scoring, but with a bonus point on offer by battering Chile they will be keen to get on a roll in preparation for their do or die match with Japan next weekend.

Even though Argentina have disappointed me so far this campaign there is still plenty of class on their team sheet and I think backing them to win by 49 or more is more likely to win than not. Bet365 are evens -48 for Los Pumas and we'll kick this preview off by grabbing a nice slice of that.

Betting on first try scorers in rugby is fraught with danger but I did think the 12/1 on offer about Argentinian blockbuster Juan Martin Gonzales was interesting and is worth a small wager. The London Irish flanker has yet to really come alive at this tournament but he is undoubtedly one of Los Pumas' best players and perhaps Cheika is giving him another run out here to find some form.

Los Pumas are known as a side that love to keep things tight and really utilise their forwards that lay such a brilliant platform to work from. As flanker Gonzales is all action and as we know from his displays in the Premiership since joining London Irish he can pop up anywhere on the field and is accustomed to making multiple line breaks with his powerful run style and hulking frame. The Chileans showed against England that their middle unit defence just cannot contain a high quality attack coming at them and there is a very real possibility Argentina begin at full throttle to make that bonus point win more likely.

If things pan out this way and Los Pumas dominate the ball and territory, I expect one of their forwards to find his way over the try line first and none are more likely than the roaming Gonzales, who bagged a try against Australia in a World Cup warm up game earlier this year.