Scotland vs Argentina Prediction: Scotland’s Steyn can cross the whitewash

Scotland continue their Autumn Nations Series campaign on Sunday (15:10, live on TNT Sports 1) with a clash against a rugged Argentina side at Murrayfield.

Read on for my Scotland vs Argentina predictions, complete with the latest Betfred odds and team news.

Gregor Townsend’s men suffered an agonising 25-17 defeat to New Zealand last Saturday after roaring back from a 17-0 half-time deficit.

Tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn raised hopes of an epic inaugural victory over the All Blacks before Damian McKenzie shrugged off Blair Kinghorn to seal the game for the visitors.

Scotland have not lost at home to Argentina since 2009, having secured four consecutive victories over the Pumas at Murrayfield.

But Felipe Contepomi’s men arrive battle-hardened after an easy win over the Welsh and a Rugby Championship campaign that included victories over New Zealand and Australia.

Scotland vs Argentina Odds

Scotland are priced at 8/13 to win at Murrayfield, while Argentina are 11/8 underdogs to claim victory.

A draw is available at 20/1, while Scotland to win by 1-5 points is trading at 11/2.

Team News

Townsend keeps faith with Steyn and Darcy Graham on the wings with Duhan van der Merwe adding a fresh attacking option on the bench.

Flanker Rory Darge replaces Matt Fagerson in the sole change from last week’s defeat to the All Blacks.

Elsewhere, Nathan McBeth replaces Rory Sutherland on the bench as his fellow Glasgow prop misses out due to concussion.

As for Argentina, Contepomi makes five changes from the team that ran in seven tries against Wales last weekend.

Juan Cruz Mallia returns at fullback while Rodrigo Isgro replaces Bautista Delguy on the wing and outside centre Matias Moroni comes in for Justo Piccardo.

Santiago Grondona gets the nod at flanker as Pablo Matera drops to the replacements, while lock Pedro Rubiolo takes over from Marcos Kremer.

Scotland to win by 1-5 points @ 11/2

This fixture has been tight in recent years, with four of the last seven meetings decided by eight points or fewer.

Two of the last three clashes at Murrayfield have been one-score games with Greig Laidlaw's last-minute penalty snatching a 19-16 victory in 2016 and the Pumas giving their hosts palpitations late on in a 14-9 defeat two years later.

Scotland are fielding their strongest XV on Sunday and will be desperate to bounce back from a spirited but ultimately rewardless loss to the All Blacks.

Argentina were guilty of conceding 20 turnovers against Wales in a match where handling errors proliferated and any repeat of that should be punished by Scotland.

Russell’s tactical kicking ability and Van der Merwe’s finishing from off the replacements’ bench should give them a chance of edging this clash.

Argentina’s power up front will ensure a bruising contest, but Townsend’s side have shown resilience at Murrayfield, and with home advantage they can edge a narrow victory.

Backing Scotland to win by no more than five points looks the value play.

Kyle Steyn - Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4

Glasgow Warriors winger Steyn has become a reliable finisher for Scotland, combining pace, strength and aerial ability.

He finished off a chance against New Zealand last weekend and remains a constant threat in broken play.

Argentina’s defence often narrows to deal with forward pressure, leaving space out wide.

Steyn is well priced to exploit that and cross for a try at Murrayfield.

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