With the 2018 Six Nations set to enter its final weekend, we take a look at the best bets as Ireland attempt to win just their third Grand Slam.
Italy v Scotland
Pretty much every game involving Italy has been a fairly depressing affair, with the result never in doubt, and it is difficult to see that changing when Scotland visit.
However, this is a contest the Azzurri generally target and, to an extent, that is shown in the odds for Saturday’s match. The hosts are at a slightly shorter price than they have been for the other encounters in this tournament as Sun Bets, Black Type and 10Bet all have Italy as low as 6/1.
Should you wish to take a punt on Conor O’Shea’s men, though, going with Betway would be the more fiscally prudent option, with them out at 9/1, while the best price for the visitors is 1/8 at Unibet.
Scotland also dominate the first try-scorer market but there could be decent money to be won, with both Tommy Seymour and Huw Jones – two excellent candidates – 17/2 at Sky Bet and bet365 respectively.
According to the bookmakers, Mattia Bellini and Tommaso Benvenuti (both 25/1 at Ladbrokes) are seen as Italy’s best hopes of opening the game’s account by crossing the whitewash, but O’Shea’s charges have conceded first in every match so far.
England v Ireland
The big game of the weekend, which sees Ireland go to Twickenham in search of their first Grand Slam since 2009, is too close to call according to the bookmakers.
England have endured an extremely poor campaign by their high standards and, as a result, Eddie Jones has made significant changes to the team. With a back-row of Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Sam Simmonds, they do look far more balanced and capable of overturning Ireland but neither team are appealingly priced.
Jones’ men are perhaps slight favourites, with Boylesports having them at 21/20, while the visitors have attracted plenty of bets due to their 11/10 price, but it is set for a tight and tense occasion. Joe Schmidt’s outfit are therefore 14/5 with BetStars to take the contest by a margin of 1-7 points.
It may well be decided by penalties, particularly with wintry conditions set to sweep over England, so for there to be no try-scorer, William Hill and Betfair are offering odds of 25/1.
Certainly, it is a game where Ireland will look to take the points when they are on offer and, while drop-goals have become rare commodities, Ireland are 75/1 with Betfair to open the scoring via that tactic.
Wales v France
Wales host France in the final game of the 2018 version of the Six Nations and are favourites to take the contest, with them 4/11 at Sky Bet, Betfair and Paddy Power.
Les Bleus were much better in the second half against England, though, and could be worth a shot. They are 3/1 at various bookmakers to cause a minor upset and finish with three successive victories in the competition.
Jacques Brunel’s men certainly improved in round four and were impressive after the break, despite England’s surge in the final 10 minutes. Should the hosts, who have started well in three of their four matches, open brightly and then fade, it is 14/1 at Unibet for the Welsh to be leading at the interval and the visitors to emerge triumphant.
While France have been resilient, they have struggled to score tries and George North and Liam Williams (8/1 and 17/2 with William Hill and Sky Bet respectively) are seen as the best options to touch down first.
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