England v Scotland: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Calcutta Cup match is always one of the highlights of the sporting calendar and Racing Post's Jack Ogalbe believes England can wrestle the trophy back from Scotland.

England v Scotland betting tips and predictions

England to win by 1-12 points - 29/20
Tommy Freeman to score a try - 13/10
Huw Jones to score a try - 11/5

England to win by 1-12 points - 29/20

The Calcutta Cup has belonged to Scotland in recent years. Since beating England in 2021, they have recorded repeat victories in each of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Six Nations.

It feels strange then that they travel to Twickenham in a difficult place, with fresh debate over head coach Gregor Townsend's future raised by their round two defeat to Ireland.

After opening with a 31-19 win over Italy, the 32-18 reverse to the Irish was only their second loss in 10 Tests. The first was against South Africa but both of those coming at Murrayfield against the top two ranked sides in the world brought it home that the Scots may have found their ceiling under 'Toonie'.

Beating a rival can make all the difference, though. Just ask England boss Steve Borthwick, whose decision to select Fin Smith at fly-half paid off as his team put their opening 27-22 defeat in Dublin behind them thanks to Smith's offload to Elliot Daly and subsequent conversion sealed a 26-25 win over France.

However, with that just his team's third victory since beating Ireland at home last year, Borthwick needs his boys to back it up, and they can.

With Fin's namesake Marcus Smith retained at full-back, they will look to play with ambition but Calcutta Cup matches are always cagey.

Since Scotland came from 31-0 in 2019, only for George Ford to score a late try and secure a remarkable 38-all draw, the subsequent five matches have produced a winner but by a margin of nine or fewer points.

With fresh momentum and belief, the best approach looks to be backing a narrow win for the hosts.

Tommy Freeman to score a try - 13/10

A section of the media and England's support still thinks Tommy Freeman should be given a run in the centres.

However, Borthwick clearly prefers him on the wing and he goes up against Scotland's record try scorer, Duhan van der Merwe, in a real battle royale down the Red Rose right.

Van der Merwe scored a hat-trick in last year's Calcutta Cup match but despite going over against Ireland, his form has wavered since and contrary to his size, he can be vulnerable in defence.

Freeman's combination with Northampton colleague Fin Smith worked as he plucked a crosskick from the sky before touching down against the French to back up his previous week's score against Ireland.

The 23-year-old now has four tries in 17 Tests but all of those have come in the last 12 months.

Borthwick picking both Smiths hints that England will look to move the ball with pace. That is an environment where Freeman can thrive and he can touch down for a third match in a row.

Huw Jones to score a try - 11/5

Scotland are hardly without hope and like Van der Merwe, outside centre Huw Jones often saves his best for facing England.

Tom Jordan joins him in the midfield at Twickenham and they will be looking to expose England duo Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence, who Borthwick seems to like, despite neither appearing to entirely trust the other.

Jones' brilliant running means he can kick on from the hat-trick he grabbed against Italy. 

Of the 31-year-old's 22 international tries, five have come against England and he can help keep Scotland's side of the scoreboard ticking over.

Read more International Rugby betting tips and predictions on site.

England v Scotland odds

England - 1/4
Scotland - 3/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.