Wales vs Scotland
31st October 1415hrs
Rugby – Wales – Six Nations
Pick Wales -6 handicap
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: Even money odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October
Wales will be looking to score a home win over Scotland on Saturday that will see them finish above their rivals in the final standings.
It has been a strange campaign from the Welsh, who have been competitive, but have been knocked back in a couple of narrow defeats.
But they will head into this final act of what has been a delayed season as the match favourites. Can Scotland shut them down?
Table of Contents
Wales Preview – Wales can sign off on a positive note
Wales have taken a W1 L3 record in this Six Nations campaign, which suggests that it has been one of major struggles from them.
They kicked things off with a thumping 42-0 win over Italy, leaving them in good spirits. But then can a couple of narrow defeats to end their title hopes.
Wales were well in touch with Ireland in their second game of the campaign but lost 24-14.
Following that the Welsh lost by just four points against France and then by only three against England.
So it has certainly not been all doom and gloom for them and they are the 2/5 odds-on favourites to collect the match win on Saturday* (odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October).
However, big questions will be raised of new head coach Wayne Pivac if they don’t come up with the win.
Wales are clearly a work in progress still under him.
That’s four losses in five Tests under Pivac. The big difference between his Wales and the Wales under former coach Warren Gatland looks to be in defence.
The Welsh were always very well drilled, but they have looked open and porous since the change.
But still, a Wales -6 handicap is at even money for rugby betting in this one* (odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October).
That actually represents a little bit of value in our eyes because we do except for a home win.
Wales need a massive lift as well of beating Scotland. Last weekend they returned to action in a friendly against France.
Wales went down heavily 38-31 in Paris for that one and along with their weakness in defence giving up five tries, they lacked creativity going forward.
Wales really struggled to make inroads in the French defence.
That was also the highest tally of points conceded against a European opponent in well over a decade.
The Welsh have remained unbeaten at home against Scotland since 2002.
Scotland Preview – Can confident Scots pull off the win?
Scotland will arrive in good spirits. Last weekend in their Six Nations return warm-up match against Georgia, the Socts were rampant.
That was to be expected, as they romped to a 48-7 victory.
The biggest news about the campaign restarting for Scotland is that they have welcomed Finn Russell back into the squad.
After being left out of Scotland’s previous matches this year, that is a massive boost in terms of creativity and control for Scotland.
The Scots also have Stuart Hogg available.
With no win in Wales since 2002, Scotland are the 2/1 underdogs in the match outright* (odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October).
GIven the weaknesses that the Welsh have shown this year, then that is probably a price that will appeal to punters for Six Nations Rugby betting.
A win will guarantee that Scotland finish above Wales in the table. While the title is out of reach for the Scots, a third place finish is a probability.
Scotland are W2 L2 in this campaign, having claimed victories over Italy and France.
The losses came on the road at England and Ireland.
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Scotland lost 11-18 at Murrayfield against Wales last season. That leaves them with a W1 L4 record against the Welsh in recent head to head action.
But there have been tight matches in that sequence.
Three of the four losses in that run of recent head to head fixtures for Scotland happened by a margin of no more than seven points.
There is the even money quote on a Scotland +6 handicap line to consider* (odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October).
The big question perhaps is where the points are going to come from? Scotland have tallied just 63 in their four games of this campaign.
But on the flip side of that, they do have the best defensive record of all teams.
Wales vs Scotland Betting Advice
How much is Scotland’s number 10 Finn Russell going to influence this game? His return is a massive boost for Scotland.
Scotland have only tallied six tries in this season’s Six Nations, and Italy have managed only one less than that.
While the Scots are more robust in defence, we think their lack of scoring is going to be what trips them up.
Key Facts – Wales vs Scotland Betting Tip
- Wales have won 4 of the last 5 meetings with Scotland
- Wales are unbeaten at home to Scotland since 2002
- Scotland are W2 L2 in this season’s Six Nations
Wales are still trying to find something that works for them. They don’t look a big ball-carrying threat up front at all.
A promising flourishing attacking game under Pivac has not been seen since he took over.
But still, Wales have head to head form and it’s been a long time since they’ve fallen to the Scots on home turf.
We just have to back Wales getting the win. A Wales 1-10 winning margin is a 21/10 odds* (odds taken 01:05 GMT Thursday, 29th October).
The best betting odds for Wales vs Scotland
Wales to win: 2/5 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Scotland to win: 2/1 at Bet365
