Italy vs Scotland Prediction: Scots can revel in Rome revenge
Having suffered a 31-29 defeat on their last trip to Rome in 2024, Scotland will be looking for revenge on Saturday (14:10, BBC One) when they take on Italy in their Six Nations opener at the Stadio Olimpico.
Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Italy vs Scotland prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the Eternal City.
Italy vs Scotland Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publication
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Team News
Hosts Italy have gone with Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simone Ferrari in the front row, with Niccolo Cannone and Andrea Zambonin in the second row.
Skipper Michele Lamaro, Manuel Zuliani and Lorenzo Cannone complete the back row, while Alessandro Fusco and Paolo Garbisi start in the half-backs.
Tommaso Menoncello combines once again with Juan Ignacio Brex in the centres, while Italy have a back three of Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh and Leonardo Marin.
As for Scotland, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Zander Fagerson start in the front row, with locks Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist in the engine room.
Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey complete the pack, with Ben White and Finn Russell pairing up in the half-backs.
Skipper Sione Tuipulotu is reunited with Huw Jones in the centres, while the Scots have a new-look back three of Jamie Dobie, Kyle Steyn and Tom Jordan.
Italy are the 13/5 underdogs to claim another memorable victory in Rome, while Scotland are 3/10 favourites to head home with the win.
A draw at the Stadio Olimpico is 20/1, while the Azzurri to be leading at the half-time whistle are 19/10.
Scotland -11 handicap @ 5/4
Scotland might have been edged out by Italy on their last visit to Rome but Gregor Townsend’s side have a good record in this fixture.
Winning 14 of their last 15 games against the Azzurri and eight of their last nine matches in Rome, Scotland have been the dominant force in this contest over the years.
The Scots sorely missed captain Tuipulotu on their last visit to Rome and having him back in the centres alongside fellow British & Irish Lion Jones will be a significant boost for the visitors.
Italy have a host of injuries going into this game, with the likes of Ange Capuozzo, Tommaso Allan, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Sebastian Negri, Ross Vintcent, Jacopo Trulla, Martin Page-Relo and Stephen Varney all unavailable.
Scotland earned a 31-19 win when these sides last met at Murrayfield and a similar scoreline might well be on the cards this weekend.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Huw Jones anytime tryscorer @ 6/4
Jones had a game to remember the last time he came up against the Italians and the Glasgow Warriors star is great value in the anytime tryscorer market.
Jones bagged himself a hat-trick in that last encounter with the Azzurri at Murrayfield and, with his speed, power and footwork causing defenders all sorts of problems, he’s backed to go over for the Scots on Saturday.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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