Wallabies vs Lions 1st Test betting tips and prediction 

Welcome to our Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions betting tips and winner prediction for the first Test being played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night. 

The Australians are priced at $3.20 to upset the Lions ($1.33) with betting sites in their first Test played in Australia since 2013, when the Lions waltzed home 41-16 victors in the third and deciding Test. 

The Wallabies are set to include a 29-year-old debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny, who slots into the starting line-up in the place of Langi Gleeson, who was dropped after their 21-18 win over Fiji. 

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt could not however find room for fly-half James O’Connor, who misses out on a guernsey in a team with seven players with less than 15 Tests experience. 

He was also unable to consider powerful pair Will Skelton and Rob Veletini through injury, while fly-half Tom Lynagh will replace Noah Lolesio, following in his father Michael’s footsteps, wearing the no.10 for Australia. 

The Wallabies are also set to include Matt Faessler at hooker after he returned with the Reds from a hamstring injury, with David Porecki injured. 

Lions coach Andy Farrell has made the tough decision to leave his son Owen out of the Lions line-up, although this was expected to be confirmed later on Thursday. 

The Lions are undefeated on this tour so far, having beaten an AUNZ Invitational, the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds and Force in successive matches. The 21-10 win over the Waratahs was the closest any team has come to them. 

Wallabies v Lions odds and match info

Start:	Saturday, 8pm AEST, July 19
Venue:	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Head-to-head odds:	Wallabies ($3.20) v Lions ($1.33)
Line betting:	Wallabies +8.5 ($1.88) vs Lions -8.5 ($1.88)

Wallabies v Lions tips

Our rugby betting expert has assessed the markets and found some value Wallabies v Lions betting tips: 

Tom Curry to score a try

Curry is a powerhouse runner and is set to be given plenty of responsibility for the Lions. He has scored in the past at international level and should be paying around the $4 quote to score here.

 Finn Russell to score a try

The Lions playmaker is likely to share the no.10 duties with Marcus Smith and they will be going up against the inexperienced Lynagh on debut. We like him to score a try at around 4.10. 

British Lions 1-12 (margin betting)

We think the Wallabies have primed themselves for this one, despite their disappointing showing against Fiji. While they have copped some injuries we think they can push the Lions all the way. But ultimately the tourists have greater depth in their line-up. This option is paying $2.60.