Scotland vs Australia Prediction: Scots can go out on a high

It’s been an Autumn Nations Series of ups and downs for Scotland but Gregor Townsend’s side can end the November campaign on a high when they host Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday (13:40, TNT Sports 1).

Read on for my Scotland vs Australia prediction, alongside team news and match odds.

Starting with a win over Fiji, Scotland were outplayed by South Africa in their second game, before cruising to a regulation win over Portugal last time out.

The whole outlook on this Autumn Nations Series campaign for the Scots will weigh heavily on the outcome of Sunday’s game, as they host a Wallabies side that have raised eyebrows on their European tour.

Stunning England 42-37 in their opening game, Joe Schmidt’s side hammered Wales 52-20 and take an unbeaten record on this tour to Edinburgh.

Defence is still an issue for this Wallabies and side and there are areas this electric Scottish backline can exploit this weekend.

Team News

Scotland recall flanker Jamie Ritchie to the back row in the one change to the pack that started against the Springboks earlier this month. Matt Fagerson will earn his 50th cap this weekend as he shifts from flanker to No.8 in place of the injured Jack Dempsey.

Blair Kinghorn returns to full-back, with Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe completing a formidable back three. Tom Jordan drops to the bench, while Finn Russell returns to fly-half where he is partnered by Ben White at scrum-half.

Sione Tuipulotu will skipper the side once again and is joined by his Glasgow Warriors team-mate Huw Jones in the centres.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Australia, the Wallabies have made six changes from the side that beat Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

Outside centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will earn just his third Australia cap as he replaces the suspended Samu Kerevi in the backline, while Len Ikitau switches to inside centre.

Former Leicester Tigers winger Harry Potter will make his debut for the Wallabies, while No.8 Harry Wilson returns from concussion protocol to skipper the side.

Scotland vs Australia Odds

Scotland are the 8/15 favourites (65.2% implied win probability) to claim the win on Sunday, while Australia are 8/5 to secure the victory in Edinburgh.

A draw on the day is available at 20/1, while Australia to be leading at the half-time whistle is 11/8.

Scotland -5 Handicap @ 21/20

Revenge might well be a motivator for Scotland this weekend after Kinghorn missed a late penalty in a 16-15 defeat for the Scots the last time the Wallabies were in town.

Townsend and his players were wondering how that win slipped through their fingers two years ago but Scotland are a better team now, with a backline filled with British and Irish Lions hopefuls for next year’s tour of Australia.

The Wallabies, despite their back-to-back wins, still conceded 57 points across those matches against England and Wales.

With Russell pulling the strings and Van der Merwe and Graham ready to pounce on the flanks, the Scots look capable of not only winning but overcoming the -5 handicap in the process.

Double Result - Scotland-Scotland @ 21/20

After the anthems expect Scotland to come flying out of the blocks and try to put Australia on the back foot.

Give the Wallabies a chance to grow into the game and they will become more and more dangerous.

Townsend will be determined to see his side hit the ground running and Scotland are worth thinking about at 21/20 to be leading at both the half-time and full-time whistle.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights