Scotland vs Italy: Six Nations Betting Tips
Scotland will be tired of being labelled the dark horses but the improving Scots are outsiders for the Six Nations title and will be determined to make a positive start to the tournament when they host Italy on Saturday.
With two games at Murrayfield to kick-start the competition, Scotland have the opportunity to pick up some early winning momentum, but head coach Gregor Townsend and his side won’t be looking any further than a tricky game against Italy in Edinburgh.
Tip 1 - Italy +18.5 handicap @ 17/20
Considering Italy beat Scotland 31-29 at the Stadio Olimpico last season and almost beat them at Murrayfield the previous season in the Six Nations, the +18.5 handicap on offer for the Azzurri looks generous to say the least.
Building on the foundations put in place by former head coach Kieran Crowley, new boss Gonzalo Quesada has taken Italy to a new level.
Beating Scotland and Wales, while drawing with France in the Six Nations last year, Italy have been silencing those questioning the Azzurri’s place in the competition.
Italy now have the players to give any team in the Six Nations a run for their money and the Italians will be heading to Murrayfield without fear.
It’s up to Scotland to try to make their quality tell over the course of the 80 minutes and they must do so without skipper Sione Tuipulotu, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a pectoral injury he suffered in training.
While the loss of Tuipulotu is a significant blow, it has opened up an opportunity for Stafford McDowall to show his worth at inside centre.
McDowall captained Scotland during the Autumn Nations Series against Portugal and clearly has leadership attributes that the Scots can use.
Playing outside the outstanding Finn Russell, McDowall can be put into gaps in the Italian defence, while Huw Jones outside him will provide excellent support lines.
Boasting a back three of Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn, who will all be vying for a place on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this summer, Scotland should have the attacking threat out wide to win Saturday’s showdown in Edinburgh.
However, it’s hard to see the Scots running away with this one and going with Italy and the generous handicap start could be the way to go.
Tip 2 – Half-Time/Full-Time - Italy/Scotland @ 13/2
While it was a pre-World Cup encounter the last time these sides met at Murrayfield, Italy were the ones to hold a 6-5 lead at the break on their last visit to Edinburgh in 2023.
With so much riding on this opening game on Saturday, as both teams are desperate to make winning starts, it could be a cagey first half with teams exchanging penalties from the boots of Russell and Paolo Garbisi.
Much like that last meeting at Murrayfield, there is value to be had with siding with Italy to be leading at the break and Scotland to take the win, as they did in that 25-13 victory in Edinburgh prior to the World Cup.
Scotland have quality off the bench with Rory Sutherland, Jack Dempsey, George Horne and Tom Jordan to help see the Scots over the line before a big game against Ireland at Murrayfield in Round Two.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation