Wales vs Scotland
14th March 1415hrs
Rugby – Cardiff – Six Nations
Pick Wales -8 Handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: Even odds taken 0230 GMT, Friday 13th March
The one game that gets to go ahead in the Six Nations on Saturday could see Scotland sitting top of the table at the conclusion. That will happen if the visitors win in Cardiff. Wales will be looking to snap their three-match losing streak in this year’s campaign.
Table of Contents
Wales look to sign off on a positive note
It was always going to be tough for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac to follow on from Warren Gatland. It’s been a tough campaign for the Welsh, who have lost their last three fixtures.
They opened with a powerful home win against Italy but have found their defensive line wanting since. A defeat in Ireland which they gave up four tries, was followed by a devastating home loss against France by a three-point margin.
There were another three tries shipped by Wales in that contest. England then put three on the board against them at Twickenham. So it’s a big area in which they have struggled and they haven’t looked particularly steady in the scrum either.
Wales do have some form going against Scotland. They have won the last two Six Nations fixtures against them, losing once in the last decade against the Scots.
The last meeting at the Principality Stadium saw Wales collect a 34-7 victory over Scotland in 2018. One only the last the four wins that Wales have taken against Scotland have been by a margin of more than ten points.
Revived Scotland look for a late flourish
After opening with two defeats against Ireland and England, big questions were being asked of Scotland. But they have come good in the last two rounds of action. They took an expected win against Italy then a lesser expected one against France.
Maybe there was some fortune about the Murrayfield success over the French because France were down a man before the first half was over. Julien Haouas was dismissed for throwing a punch.
All of Scotland’s tries in the match came after that. But they used the space, took their chances and completed back to backs wins over France for the first time since 1964. But it does remain hard to judge them on it, because of the man advantage for such a long period.
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That is the kind of result that will put a bit of wind in the sails regardless of how it happened. Scotland do make three changes in the pack and that’s it from the team that beat the French. They are at least settled across the back line.
Since 2000 Scotland have made ten visits to Wales in the competition. They have managed to win one of those, losing the other nine. Scotland are on an eight-match losing streak in Wales.
Wales vs Scotland Betting Advice
Three of Scotland’s last four defeats in Wales have been by a margin of more than ten points. But with some confidence behind them, they may be able to stay within the 10 point handicap range on the weekend.
Wales have not been tight in defence and even though, by and large, Scotland have been extremely wasteful in attack this season, this does look as if it is going to be a tight game.
Key Facts – Wales vs Scotland Betting Tip
- Wales are W9 L1 in their last ten home games against Scotland in the competition
- Wales have lost their last three matches
- Scotland have won their last two matches
The record that Wales have at home against Scotland does warrant backing them to come up with the victory. Head coach Wayne Pivac badly needs that as well. A Wales -8 handicap looks about the right line to aim for.
The best betting odds for Wales vs Scotland
Wales to win: 1/3 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Scotland: 13/5 at Bet365
