Scotland will look to rebound after their narrow loss to South Africa with a win against a struggling Argentina side at Murrayfield on Saturday, writes Shaun Goosen.
Scotland v Argentina
24 November 16h30
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
To Win (80 mins)
Scotland 4/11
Draw 22/1
Argentina 9/4
Handicap
Scotland (-7) 9/10
Argentina (+7) 9/10
*Forecast odds and handicaps
The Scots were guilty of missing several chances on the weekend but did well to match the Springboks up front. That six-point losing margin is a testament to just how close they came to upstaging a team on the rise, but they will nevertheless have felt that the game was theirs for the taking.
At times, Gregor Townsend’s backline were simply superb on attack. Peter Horne’s try was just one example of how lethal numbers 9 to 15 can be when they fancy themselves. Indeed, Huw Jones’ behind-the-back pass was a sight to behold in the build-up to that first Scottish score.
The Brave Hearts were seriously fired-up during the anthems and will feel desperately aggrieved not to have given their supporters something more to cheer about last Saturday. Coming up against Los Pumas this weekend will hand them a shot at reclaiming some lost pride as the 2019 World Cup draws ever nearer.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s 13-28 loss to France was a lot closer than the score-line suggests. If not for some woeful decisions and inaccuracy at the set piece, they may well have pushed their northern opponents much closer.
Mario Ledesma’s men will be looking to break a four-Test losing streak that stretches right back to their famous away win over Australia on the Gold Coast in September. Despite some poor results, 2018 has seen some steady improvement under their new coaching regime. A win at Murrayfield will give them a sense of confidence following another exhausting season.
If Gus Creevy’s pack are in the mood, they have the capacity to give the host’s forwards a massive headache on the day. What the Test may boil down to, though, is accuracy with ball in hand and, with more dry conditions expected, the silky skills of the Scots may gain the ascendancy in this department.
Verdict: Scotland 4/11 *Forecast odds and handicaps
Argentina have a bad habit of zoning in and out of Test matches. If they lose concentration here, the Scottish attackers have the ability to punish them and ensure they finish win-less on tour.
