We have a Wales v Scotland prediction for you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of the opening round of Six Nations fixtures.
How To Watch Wales v Scotland
When is Wales v Scotland
4.45 pm, Saturday, February 3rd
TV Channel
BBC One, RTÉ 2
Who are the officiating team?
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Where is Wales v Scotland
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wales v Scotland Odds
| Wales v Scotland Betting Odds – Six Nations | ||
| Team | Odds | Chance |
| Wales | 6/5 | 45.5% |
| Scotland | 8/11 | 57.9 % |
| Draw | 20/1 | 4.8% |
RWC Quarter-Finalists Wales despite home advantage are seen as 6/5 outsiders.
Scotland are 8/11 favourites expected to bounce back from a Pool elimination at the RWC while the draw is priced at 20/1.
Handicap Betting
Wales: +2 @ 11/10
Scotland -2 @ 7/10
Handicap Draw: -2 @ 18/1
Click Below For Our Live Wales v Scotland Odds
Teams News
Wales Team News
Wales are at a rebuilding stage, Faletau, Morgan and Lake are injured, Rees-Zammit has defected to pursue a career in the NFL, and Halfpenny and Biggar have also retired. Thus Gatland has named five uncapped players in the squad.
Scotland Team News
Scotland are without second-row Gilchrist who is serving a two-game suspension after a red card he received for a dangerous tackle playing vs Scarlets for Edinburgh. Darge and Russell have been named co-captains. Scotland have called up four uncapped players to their squad.
Wales v Scotland Weather Forecast
Ideal conditions for rugby are expected on Saturday afternoon, with no rain and little wind forecasted.
Temperature
The temperature is predicted to be 10°C throughout the game.
Wind
Winds are expected to be in the region of 18 km/h, a gentle to moderate breeze.
Rain
There is a 0% during this game.
Wales v Scotland Preview
Wales Form
Form Coming Into The 2024 Six Nations
Wales came into this tournament following their Pool C victory at the last RWC with four victories from four matches including an impressive 40-6 win against Australia. However, they were then eliminated at the Quarter-Final stage 17-29 against Argentina.
Scotland Form
Form Coming into the 2024 Six Nations
Scotland entered the RWC following a strong third-place finish in the 2023 Six Nations. However, they were disappointingly dumped out of the tournament at the Pool Stage coming third after defeats from Ireland and South Africa.
Wales Attack v Scotland Defence
Wales at the RWC were disappointing in attack with 160 points across their 5 matches making them the second-lowest scorers to reach the Quarter-Final aside from Fiji's 112 points. With Wales going through a period of transition, their primary threats are likely to be George North who has 118 games and 235 points along with Winger Josh Adams who has 53 games and 105 points.
The Scottish side despite being drawn against Ireland and South Africa in their pool conceded just 71 points across their 4 games for comparison France and Ireland with one game more conceded 61 and 74 points respectively.
Scotland Attack v Wales Defence
Scotland, drawn in a tough pool with Ireland and South Africa had 146 points across their 4 games at RWC, 35 points more than Fiji who played an extra game. In the 2023 Six Nations, they scored 118 points only less than France and Ireland.
Wales at the RWC conceded 88 points across their games compared with France (61) and Ireland (74) who played the same amount of games. But at Six Nations 2023 they had the second worst defence with 147 conceded, only two better than Italy. It’s hard to know what to expect from the side in transition.
Wales v Scotland Rugby Head-To-Head
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Scotland and Wales have played each other in rugby union since 1883. A total of 129 matches have been played, with Wales winning 75 matches, Scotland winning 51 matches and three matches drawn.
Head-To-Head Results Last Five Matches
2023: Scotland won 35-7 in Murrayfield2022: Wales won 20- in Millenium Stadium2021: Wales won 24-25 in Murrayfield2020: Scotland won 10-14 in Llanelli2019: Wales won 11-18 in Murrayfield Stadium
Trends
Wales have won seven of their last ten matches against Scotland.
Key Players
Sam Costelow – Wales
With Wales amidst their period of transition, plenty of new stars could be about to make their names for the country and one of them is Scarlets Fly-Half Sam Costelow. The 23-year-old has only 8 caps and 24 points so far for his country looks to be highly regarded by the Welsh management team and so is one to watch.
Finn Russell – Scotland
From one up-and-coming Fly-Half to a more established International Finn Russell (31) has 75 appearances and 327 points for Scotland. Russell is known for his attacking intent with a distinctive style of smart kicks and flicks to try and create opportunities for his teammates.
Wales v Scotland Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Wales 20-10 Scotland
Despite their different RWC trajectories, Wales remains in a period of transition while the Scottish side seems to be more established (fortunate as their underage sides are performing poorly).
Scotland blew Wales away last year, but that was an exception, not a rule historically and I think that Wales are not without a chance of beating Scotland.
This should be a narrow victory, no matter who gets it.
Best Bet: Wales -6 @ 23/10
Click Below For Our Live Wales v Scotland Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
