Italy vs Scotland
22nd February 1415hrs
Rugby – Italy – Six Nations
Pick Italy +8 handicap
Bookmaker bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 18:26 GMT, Wednesday 19th January
Scotland will be looking to put their first win of the campaign on the board. They have managed to get a losing bonus point from their first two fixtures.
Given the points that the Italians have given up so far in thier matches, an away win in Rome for the travelling Scots looks the most likely outcome.
Table of Contents
Scotland can find the win in Rome
Scotland opened their campaign with a disappointing defeat in Ireland. Not disappointing because they didn’t play well. They did, they were the better of the two teams.
But disappointing from the perspective that they wasted so many gilt-edged chances to come away with the victory. Scotland lost 19-12.
For their second game of the campaign, they played host to England in a scrappy weather-affected match at Murrayfield. But even then, the Scots had a lot of opportunities after English mistakes but failed to capitalise on them.
Scotland ended up losing 13-6. So far then for Scotland in the 2020 Six Nations, it has been a campaign of missed opportunities.
Coach Gregor Townsend is making three changes to the starting line up with Edinburgh forwards Stuart McInally and Ben Toolis coming in for kick-off, while centre Chris Harris gets the call in the centre.
Scotland do have good momentum going against Italy in the head to head.
Scotland have won their last four Six Nations contests against the Italians. Last season it was a 33-20 victory over them at Murrayfield. The last time Scotland went to Rome that was a dramatic 2-point victory played out by the Scots, who took a 29-27 victory.
After losing back to back games in Rome in the Six Nations in 2010 and 2012, Scotland have won their last three trips there. The biggest winning margin of those victories in Rome was +16 in 2016. The other two were a 1-point and a 2-point margin of success only.
Italy no closer to closing the gap
Italy have already looked a long way short of quality in this season’s campaign. They have conceded a total of 77 points from their two games played so far.
But the one positive that they have is that they have scored three tries so far, whereas Scotland are still looking for their first. But it is that defence which is the big concern in terms of Italy finding a winning touch.
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They opened with a 42-0 loss in Wales and then suffered a 35-22 road defeat in France in the second round of action. They will have been happy with their tally of points, but they only came later in the second half in Paris when the French were already taking their foot off the gas.
Including some of last year’s World Cup action, the only wins that Italy have secured in their last seven international fixtures happened against Canada and Namibia. In each of their last four Six Nations games Italy have conceded at least 35 points.
Italy vs Scotland Betting Advice
Scotland surely can’t let this opportunity at picking up a win slip through their fingers. Italy did show a bit of spirit late in their game in Paris in the second round of action but were already well beaten before then.
Key Facts – Italy vs Scotland Betting Tip
- Italy have conceded 77 points in their opening two games
- Italy have lost their last four games against Scotland
- Scotland have take a losing bonus point in both games
Scotland are still looking for that first try of the campaign but they shouldn’t find the Italian defence tough enough to prevent them from touching down in this one. Scotland can get the win, but it may not be by a hugely convincing margin.
The best betting odds for Italy vs Scotland
Italy to win: 11/4 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Scotland: 1/3 at Bet365
