Scotland vs Ireland background
This Sunday afternoon fixture at a packed Murrayfield would have the goose bumps raised but alas we have to minus the crowd. Scotland have shown they are a different team compared to past seasons and the first victory at Twickenham over England since 1983 bears testimony to that. Ireland on the other hand has lost to Wales and France before completing a thumping 48-10 victory over Italy. A convincing victory over Italy does not tell us much about Ireland’s form since the Italians have been so poor. Scotland always have exciting playmakers like Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg but they now also have a hardness and steel around their forward pack led by Hamish Watson. The Irish still look very one dimensional to me and expect their forwards to bulldoze their way to victory. This tactic may have worked in the past against Scotland but this current team can match the Irish up front. Ireland’s over reliance on Johnny Sexton has reached a point that if he has a poor game then the opposition is almost certain of victory.
TIP: Despite Ireland starting this match as slight favourites I see the playmaking ability of Finn Russell being the difference between the two sides. Stuart Hogg has been the mainstay of the competition so far and along with the freakish speed and power of Duhan Van der Merwe the Irish wingers will be tested defensively. James Lowe has great attacking ability but his defence is weak and once again it showed when Ireland lost to France. There is no doubt Scotland will once again target Lowe on the wing. There is good value on the Scottish win and at 2.25 with Worldsportsbetting. Supabets and 1xBet have a Scotland win at 2.16 and 2.10 respectively.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Scotland vs Ireland
- The last 5 matches have all been won by Ireland.
- The last time Scotland beat Ireland was in 2017.
- 7 of the last 8 games have been won by the home team.
Latest results for both teams
Scotland lost their last game to Wales 24-25 while Ireland beat Italy 10-48 in their last game.
PREDICTION
The Scots will no doubt be buoyed by that victory over England and can consider themselves unlucky to lose by 1 point to Wales. This narrow loss will have hurt them and the Irish are going to experience the Scottish backlash. This should be a tight game and will take one piece of magic to break the deadlock and the Scots have more game breakers therefore I predict a victory for Scotland by under 7 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Scotland
15 Stuart Hogg (c), 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price; 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 George Turner, 3 WP Nel, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Blade Thomson, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson.
Wales
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (C), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 1 David Kilcoyne, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Will Connors, 8 CJ Stander.
Odds for this bet
The pure Braveheart spirit of the Scottish should see them through in this tight contest. These are the best odds on a Scotland win.
1xBet 2.10
Worldsportsbetting 2.25
Supabets 2.16
Odds comparison
A Scottish win is priced at:
1xBet 2.10
Worldsportsbetting 2.25
Supabets 2.16
Predictions and Odds in details
This game will ultimately come down to the attack of Scotland against the Irish defense. It is very difficult to defend for 80 minutes therefore the Scots will wear the Irish down as defending is more tiring than attacking. There is also the continued concern regarding Ireland captain and his troubles with concussion. I can’t remember the last time he played the full 80 minutes and when he leaves the field his understudy is nowhere capable of performing at international level. This tight match will be decided in the final minutes and this is where Scotland will have the edge as they have a better bench than the Irish so I’m going for Scotland to win by less than 7 points. Worldsportsbetting has the best odds on a Scottish win at 2.25 followed by Supabets and 1xBet at 2.16 and 2.10 respectively.
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.
