Ireland will be looking to put a big score over minnows the United States on Saturday the 24th of November.
The ‘Emerald Isle’ will be looking to put an exclamation point on what has been a fantastic rugby season when they host tier 2 outfit, the United States. And while the hosts are likely to field different looking side to the one that beat the All Blacks last weekend, we can still expect another great showing from Joe Schmidt’s boys.
Ireland v United States
Saturday 24 November
Aviva Stadium
20:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Ireland 1/100
Draw 90/1
United States 75/1
Handicap
Ireland (-38) 9/10
United States (+38) 9/10
*Forecast handicap and odds
Ireland
Ireland underlined their credentials as real World Cup contenders last week when they beat the All Blacks 16-9 at the Aviva Stadium. The win was made all the more remarkable by the men in green becoming the first team in what seems like ages to keep the All Blacks from scoring a try.
With a victory over the All Blacks in the bag, Joe Schmidt will give a number of his first-stringers the weekend off. The of Johnny Sexton, Bundee Aki, Tadgh Furlong, CJ Stander and Jacob Stockdale are all likely to sit out with young guns and fringe players such as Jordan Larmour, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy and Joey Carberry expected to take the aforementioned stars places.
The last time the Irish second team had a hit was three weeks ago when they beat Italy 54-7 at – in a touch of irony – Soldier Field in America.
United States
Like their opponents for this weekend, It’s been a marvelous year for the United States who have only suffered one defeat in the 10 fixtures they have played in 2018. Their loss came against the Maori All Blacks a fortnight ago where they went down 22-59.
The States bounced back from their aforementioned defeat to the New Zealand representative side by beating Samoa 30-29 and then beating Romania 31-5 this past weekend,
Verdict: Ireland (-38) 9/10 *Forecast handicap and odds
Yes, America did beat Six Nations side Scotland this year but it’s highly unlikely that they’ll even give the Irish a run here. My money is on the hosts taking it by 30 points or more.
