Six Nations Betting Preview

The first place to look for value is in the Grand Slam market. Although the teams look evenly matched a Grand Slam has been achieved in seven of the last eleven years with only England’s 2003 Grand Slam being one that was expected.

If we take history as our closest guide to the future then the ‘No Grand Slam’ price should a 7/4 yet the bookmakers have it at 4/6. It’s now a case of finding a team capable of doing the Grand Slam.

Scotland and Italy have never come close to winning the Championship let alone the Grand Slam and are discounted.

England are favourites in this market at 11/2 with totesport but they have done the Grand Slam only once in the Six Nations and that was in 2003 on the way to winning the World Cup. Since then England have flattered to deceive and with tricky away games in Wales and Ireland they are avoided.

France are next best at 13/2 with Skybet but the fixture list is against them. Three away games in a row in the middle of the tournament with visits to the Aviva stadium and Twickenham is a big ask and probably beyond them.

That leaves Wales and Ireland and it is difficult to split them. Ireland play the big favourites England and France at home which is an advantage but their away form is patchy and Scotland and Wales could scupper their chances. Nevertheless a small investment at 8/1 with Bet365 is recommended.

My headline tip are Wales at odds of 22/1 but it is a bet that risks being blown out after the first game against England. If they can win that, they will have momentum to take into the next games against Scotland and Italy and these are both eminently winnable.

By the time Ireland visit Cardiff they could be the only unbeaten nation in the tournament, if Wales win the Grand Slam is on. Yes they have to go to Paris and beat France, unlikely but we will be holding a 22/1 betting slip by then which will surely be good value.