Waratahs vs Western Force Prediction: Force no match for Tahs

There's an all-Aussie affair to look forward to in Super Rugby Pacific on Friday morning (10:35, Sky Sports Action) as the Waratahs host Western Force at Allianz Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Waratahs vs Western Force prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Sydney.

Waratahs vs Western Force Odds

The Waratahs are the 4/7 favourites to claim the victory in Sydney, while Western Force are 6/4 to make the trip back to Perth with the spoils.

A draw is currently 20/1, while the Tahs to be leading at both the half-time and full-time whistles in the double result market are Evs.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, the Tahs have gone with Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Siosifa Amone in the front row, with locks Matt Philip and Angus Blyth in behind.

Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble and Pete Samu complete the pack, with Jake Gordon and Lawson Creighton in the half-backs.

Joey Walton and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii pair up in the centres, while the hosts have a back three of Sid Harvey, Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen at full-back.

As for the visitors, the Force have Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Misinale Epenisa in the front row, with Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain in the engine room.

Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano and Vaiolini Ekuasi form the back row, while Henry Robertson and Ben Donaldson combine in the half-backs.

Hamish Stewart and George Bridge start in the half-backs, while the Force go with a back three of Dylan Pietsch, Zac Lomax and Mac Grealy.

Waratahs -7 handicap @ 5/4

Looking at the line-ups of the two teams for this clash in New South Wales, the packs look evenly matched, but it's in the backline where the Waratahs appear to hold the advantage.

Having powerhouse Wallabies outside centre Suaalii back in the starting XV is a significant boost, while the likes of Harvey, Kellaway and Jorgensen are capable of striking from anywhere on the field.

Harvey has scored tries in all of his last three outings and is certainly a player to look out for in this game.

Gordon and Creighton will pull the strings in the half-backs for the Tahs at the Allianz Stadium, who have an impressive record when it comes to this fixture in recent years.

The Waratahs have firmly had the edge in this Australian rivalry, winning five of their last six clashes against the Western Force.

They’ve been especially strong at home, taking victory in each of their last three meetings as hosts, in a run they'll be confident of extending on Friday morning.

Across those five wins, the Waratahs have averaged a margin of 14.2 points, suggesting they are well placed to cover the -7 handicap again in this showdown in Sydney.

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