Scotland and New Zealand meet in Edinburgh on Sunday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
SCOTLAND
Scotland were too strong for Fiji last week winning 28-12 and they will take a lot of heart from the way they pulled clear in the second-half. It was a good bounce back after the disappointment of the 1 point defeat to Australia the week before where a last minute penalty was missed which would have given them the victory.
In mid-year the Scots lost a tight 3 match series in Argentina 2-1 and they were competitive in the Six Nations with 2 wins and 3 defeats.
NEW ZEALAND
The All Blacks started at 12 points favourites in Cardiff against the Welsh and in the end New Zealand minus backers collected comfortable profits as they won 55-23. The game itself wasn’t quite as one sided as the score line suggests, but when the All Blacks took control late in the second-half there was no back.
The week before the All Blacks had overcame a very game Japan side 38-31 in Tokyo and they were once again Rugby Challenge Champions with a 66% winning record.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in Edinburgh in 2017 with New Zealand winning a tight one 22-17 and Scotland have never beaten New Zealand with their best results being a draw in 1983 and 1964.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Scotland 13/2
Draw 35/1
New Zealand 1/8
Handicap: Scotland +14.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Scotland +14.5 at 17/20
Although Scotland have been dominated by the All Blacks over the years their most recent matches haven’t been runaway wins with the 5 point victory for New Zealand in 2017 and prior to that an 8 point win in 2014. Scotland were very unfortunate not to beat Australia and although I would be surprised should they get an upset win here I reckon that we are in for a tighter game than the bookmakers expect here.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
