Scotland vs England
Scotland opens their Six Nations campaign with a Calcutta Cup match against England at Murrayfield. The Scots will want to show that they are contenders for the title with victory over England. This will probably be their best chance to repeat last year’s victory as the English are without key players for this match. Scotland have only lost once in their last six matches with that defeat coming against the World Champion Springboks. They will want to continue from last year’s tournament where they had a memorable away victory over France in their final match.
TIP: Scotland are still seeking their first Six Nations title since 1999. It was the last year that it was the Five Nations with Italy joining the following year. As always so much will depend on their maestro Finn Russell. If he has a barnstorming game then Scotland will start their tournament with an upset victory. England will want to regain the Calcutta Cup, after they relinquished it for the first time since 1983. The bookies have the England as favourites but I’m tipping Scotland for the upset win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 2.35, Playabets 2.26 and Sunbet 2.23
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Scotland vs England
- In the last five matches between these sides there have been two wins apiece with one draw.
- Scotland have only won one of their last five home matches against England.
- The last match between the sides was won 11-6 by Scotland.
Latest results for both teams
Scotland won their last match 29-20 against Japan while England beat South Africa 27-26 in their last match.
PREDICTION
England will not have an easy task as they will be without key players that include Captain Owen Farrell, Johnny May and Courtney Lawes. The man that so much is expected of is Marcus Smith but I’m sure the Scots will be targeting him in his first Six Nations match. Scotland have experience on their side while the English have selected a strange team with so many changes in the backline. England have traditionally always had an advantage over Scotland in the forwards but both packs look very evenly matched for this match. Heavy rains are predicted for the match and this favour the Scots as they have superb kickers in Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell. I predict the home team to win by 7 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Scotland
15 Stuart Hogg (c), 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Rory Sutherland
England
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Joe Marchant, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Tom Curry (c), 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Scotland victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 2.35
Playabets 2.26
Sunbet 2.23
Odds comparison on the Scotland handicap :
The complete odds on the Scotland handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+1.5) 1.95
Sunbet (+1.5) 1.94
Playabets (1.5) 1.87
Predictions and Odds in details
England had one of their worst Six Nations last year where they finished fifth and it was the first time they lost to the other three home unions in a single tournament since 1986.Since that disastrous Six Nations campaign they have won their next five matches which included wins over southern hemisphere giants the Springboks and Australia. Scotland will be all out to end their winning run. There are great returns on the upset Scottish win but if you looking for a safety bet then back the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+1.5) 1.95, Sunbet (+1.5) 1.94 and Playabets (1.5) 1.87
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
