Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The United Rugby Championship always hosts derbies during the festive period and Scottish duo Glasgow and Edinburgh will make history on Sunday when they clash at Hampden Park.

It will be the first time in the professional era that the teams will have played at the home of Scottish football and they approach the match in contrasting form.

URC champions Glasgow have lost just one of their last six in the league and beat Sale 38-19 in the Champions Cup before suffering a narrow 30-29 defeat in Toulon, claiming two potentially vital bonus points in the process.

Edinburgh were in Challenge Cup action, losing 15-10 at Gloucester before beating Bayonne 52-12 at home. They started the weekend in the play-offs but have not won in Glasgow since 2020 and could be set for another 1872 Cup defeat.

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh betting tips and predictions

Glasgow -10.5 two-way handicap - 1/1

Glasgow's development during Franco Smith's two-and-a-half years in charge has been striking and the South African coach again demonstrated his coaching class by picking several of his big guns on the bench in Toulon to ensure his team could still be in the game come the final whistle.

With 13 internationals in his XV, Smith has selected his strongest possible team for Sunday and has been boosted by Kyle Steyn's return on the wing.

Steyn will skipper the side in his first appearance since scoring a brace against Benetton in September and adds more flair to a loaded Glagow attacking unit.

Edinburgh also have firepower, with Scotland and British & Irish Lions wing Duhan van der Merwe set to make his 100th appearance for the club.

It is unfortunate to say it, but Van der Merwe is one of the few from the Edinburgh squad who would make the Glasgow side, cases in point being half-backs Ali Price and Ross Thompson, who both left Scotstoun in search of more rugby.

Edinburgh may have won their home version of last season's 1872 Cup, but the URC table and the teamsheets tell you they are second best in this local rivalry and the Warriors can mark the occasion with something to spare. 

George Horne anytime tryscorer - 6/4

The focus might be on back three stars such as Steyn, Van der Merwe and Darcy Graham, but there might be real value in backing Glasgow scrum-half George Horne to go over at Hampden.

Horne got a hat-trick against Sale on his last start and his ability to snipe around the fringes makes him ever-dangerous.

The 29-year-old has never had a run as Scotland's number nine and his inability to control the game during their disastrous Six Nations defeat in Italy earlier this year will have done him few favours with the selectors.

His age means he threatens to fall into the category of a great club player who falls short at international level, but Glasgow are more than happy to have him.

Horne thrives in their frantic attack and can benefit from more broken field play.

Kyle Rowe anytime tryscorer - 6/5

Kyle Rowe shifts to full-back to accommodate Steyn's return and is another player who goes under the radar due to the abundant back-three talent available to Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

Rowe scored a try in last season's 22-10 victory for Glasgow in the home leg of this festive fixture and also went over in that recent win against Sale.

He and Johnny Matthews, who has scored a joint-URC-leading five tries to date, sometimes go under the radar. 

Hooker Matthews has been cut to 20/21 to score a try and Rowe provides more value.

Read more rugby union news on site

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh odds

Glasgow - 2/9
Draw - 25/1
Edinburgh - 10/3

View the full market and more odds for Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh on site

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.