Wales v Scotland predictions: Expect slow burner at Principality Stadium

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Wales v Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC One & S4C, 2.15pm Saturday

Best bet

Under 4.5 tries
3pts 5-4 BoyleSports
Half-time draw
1pt 12-1 general

Match preview

The first match of round two can be the hardest to call in the Six Nations and despite their victory over England, Scotland still have a lot to prove.

The Scots haven't won at the Principality Stadium since 2002, although they did win the 2020 encounter which was staged in Llanelli, and it's also fair to point out they hadn't won at Twickenham since 1983 until they went and did it last year.

There's no doubt they are a team going places and could end that Cardiff hoodoo, but it's still hard to have faith in them as odds-on shots on the road.

A lot went right for Scotland last week as England made too many errors and could not hold on to a 17-10 lead, while a lot went wrong for Wales, who simply could not establish a foothold against Ireland in Dublin.

Wales are missing some big names this year and look underpowered up front, but they are also past masters at overcoming adversity, as they showed when winning the title last year after a really poor 2020.

But while the outcome may be tricky to call, there are plenty of clues as the likely shape of the game and they all point to a tight, low-scoring contest.

Wales are a team who thrive on confidence and having seen so little of the ball against Ireland last week they are sure to want to play their way in, adopting cautious and risk-free tactics from the start.

Scotland have never been adventurous travellers - in the last two tournaments they have played all five rival nations away from home and posted first-half totals of ten, six, six, five and six points.

Heavy rain is forecast and Covid rules mean the stadium roof has to stay open, so any ambition to play an open game may be stymied.

Points are pitched in the low 40s but getting odds-against that there are no more than four tries looks a more interesting market, while if the game is slow to open up with most points coming from the boot, 12-1 about the scores being level at the break also appeals.

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