**Western Force vs British & Irish Lions Prediction**
**Lions to win by 1-12 points – 5/2** Bet365
The British & Irish Lions kick off their much-anticipated tour of Australia this Saturday against the Super Rugby’s Western Force. They are eager to bounce back from a shocking upset against Argentina, where they lost an unexpected match 28-24, marking their first defeat on Irish soil (11am BST, Sky Sports Main Event).
**After a disheartening loss as 7/1 outsiders**, the Lions are faced with a crucial challenge. This tour marks their first venture Down Under since 2013, and a solid performance against the Western Force is essential as they go on to prepare for the Test series against the Wallabies on July 19.
With seven players from the Western Force included in the Wallabies squad, the stakes are high. However, the Lions have insisted these players must represent their club in this match. Six members from the Australian squad will feature in the matchday lineup, indicating that this will be far from an easy start for the tourists.
**Western Force vs British & Irish Lions Betting Preview: Lions to Find Their Feet**
After a rocky start, bookies have moved the odds in favor of the Lions, adjusting from 1/20 to an impressive 1/33 following coach Andy Farrell’s announcement of a robust squad for this inaugural match on Australian soil. Rugby betting sites have taken notice!
Primary among the newcomers is debutant Dan Sheehan, who steps in as captain, flanked by eight fellow Irishmen and England’s Henry Pollock in the No.8 jersey. Although Farrell is still without scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and fullback Hugo Keenan, a significant number of this talented squad are expected to make headway against Australia.
On the Western Force’s side, standout players including Tom Robertson and Nick Champion de Crespigny will participate before joining the Wallabies, but the absence of Kurtley Beale due to a hamstring injury adds an extra layer of challenge for the Force.
**Australia vs British & Irish Lions Test Odds**
Despite boasting a solid squad, bookmakers have the Lions favored by 25 points on the handicap, with odds of just 2/7 to win by 13 or more. The last encounters revealed a significant gap in quality when the Lions triumphed 69-17 during their previous meeting in Perth.
While the Lions’ talented roster suggests a straightforward victory, Farrell’s description of the performance against Argentina as “disconnected” raises questions about their readiness. The whirlwind 20-hour journey Down Under could add to the uncertainty.
**Western Force vs British & Irish Lions prediction: Lions to win by 1-12 – 16/5** Bet365
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