France vs Italy 2023 Rugby World Cup Predictions, Odds, Picks and Betting Preview

• France have won their first three matches in the 2023 Rugby World Cup
• Italy suffered a 79-point loss in their last match against New Zealand
• Les Bleus are favourites to pick up the win over Italy on Friday

France will look to continue their winning ways as they prepare for their fourth match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The hosts will lock horns with Italy, and they are favourites to complete the Pool A sweep.

Read on as Sports Brief brings you a preview of this all-European showdown.

France vs. Italy Betting Preview

Where: OL Stadium, France

When: Friday, October 6 - 9:00 pm local time

Odds: France (-28.5) vs. Italy (+28.5) - view all lines

Betting on France (-28.5)

France will head to their showdown against Italy with momentum on their side after they crushed Namibia 96-0 in their last group match.

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Les Bleus have now won their first three group games by an average of 41.6 points.

The victory came at a huge price for France, though, as star player Antoine Dupont suffered a broken cheekbone in that contest.

The good news for the French is that he's back in the squad after undergoing surgery, per Sky Sports.

He's now in a race against time to be fit for the quarter-finals, with defending champions South Africa their likely opponents in that knockout match.

Even with Dupont sidelined for the final pool match against Italy, France have been installed as 28.5-point favourites to win that crunch clash.

Maxime Lucu will deputise at scrum-half for Les Bleus this coming Friday.

Flanker Charles Ollivon will captain the French team in Dupont’s absence.

Betting on Italy (+28.5)

Italy faced their first big test in this year's World Cup against New Zealand last Friday and they failed it badly.

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The Azzurri suffered a humiliating 96-17 loss to the All Blacks, with New Zealand scoring 14 tries in that contest.

Italy headed into that match knowing an upset win over New Zealand would give them a spot in the knockout round of the Rugby World Cup for the first time.

That didn't happen, with the Azzurri absorbing their worst loss at a World Cup since they tasted a 101-3 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in Huddersfield back in 1999, per the BBC.

They will look to finish their pool campaign with a win over France. The Italians have won just three times in their past 47 meetings against France.

The Italians have changed their front row and switched their best backs around after being thumped by the All Blacks.

Coach Kieran Crowley moved Tommaso Allan back to flyhalf for the clash against New Zealand.

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Writer's Prediction

France (-28.5) win and cover the spread against Italy (all odds courtesy of 1XBet).

Register your account now with 1XBet, so as to not miss any Rugby World Cup betting opportunities.

Most Rugby World Cup championships

Sports Brief recently reported on the countries with the most Rugby World Cup championships.

New Zealand and South Africa share the record, with three titles apiece.

The All Blacks won the title in 1987, 2011, and 2015, while the Springboks captured the crown in 1995, 2007, and 2019.

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