The Grand Slam winner got four of six predictions right last time to leave the Machine with a £2.50 deficit to make up when the competition returns
Rugby is a numbers game, yet it is also a game that is played in the head.
For that reason, we are pitching the human instinct of World Cup and Grand Slam winner Mike Tindall against the mathematical calculations of the Betway Machine throughout the 2016 Six Nations.
The aim? To discover who can offer the most insight into which way the tournament will go.
The pair will be given two free bets of £5 to place on all three matches during each gameweek, with the overall winner being determined by who manages to accumulate the most profit by the end of the competition.
Mike Tindall came storming back in Round 2 to take a narrow £2.50 lead after correctly predicting a narrow French win over Ireland in a low-scoring game, Wales to score exactly three tries against Scotland and England to win by over 13 points against Italy.
So, with the two neck and neck, which way do they each see this weekend’s fixtures going?
Let’s find out…
Match 1: Wales v France (Friday, 20:05)
Machine predictions:
13/2 – France to win by 1-5 points | 10/3 – Total tries exactly 3
Mike says:
“Nobody has really given France much credit so far for winning their two games but I was really impressed with how physical and niggly their forward pack was against Ireland.
“Wales are obviously renowned for being in your face and sending big runners down the channels. It is a style that suits them but will it also end up suiting France’s defence? It might just play into their hands.
“It will be a very bruising encounter and it will be interesting to see if either team comes away with all of their players unscathed.
“France are notoriously erratic away and this is the first time that they have left home shores, but I think having those two wins under their belt will give them the belief that they probably need.
“They will be confident of going there and nicking it.”
7/4 – France +3.5 points | 5/6 – Total points under 39.5
Match 2: Italy v Scotland (Saturday, 14:25)
Machine predictions:
11/2 – Italy to win by 1-5 points | 5/6 – Total points under 37.5
Mike says:
“I am going to stick my neck out and back Scotland here.
“This game against Italy gives them a real chance to show that they have got a little bit more about them than they have showed so far and possess a proper creative instinct.
“Against Wales they showed some great bits of skill to score two fantastic tries and now they have to build on that.
“When Greig Laidlaw is moving the ball quickly and they are playing with tempo then they have the players to finish things off.
“Italy are playing a little bit more expansively as well so it could be a higher-scoring game than previous matches.
“That all depends on the weather but it was lovely when England were down to Rome and hopefully it will be the same on Saturday.
“If Italy’s kicking game is not spot on then Stuart Hogg will be dangerous. He always seems to turn up in the right place and has been very good in what he does from the back.”
13/10 – Scotland to win by 1-12 points | 4/1 – Stuart Hogg to score at any time
Match 3: England v Ireland (Saturday, 16:50)
Machine predictions:
9/2 – England to win by 11-15 points | 9/4 – England to score exactly 2 tries
Mike says:
“Ireland are in a really tough spot right now.
“Their injury list contains the basis of an international squad in itself with the likes of Iain Henderson, Sean O’Brien, and Dave Kearney all missing.
“France did a great job of rattling their players. They got to Jonny Sexton and made him leave the field once again – he just hasn’t been able to have a settled performance.
“The Ireland that we have been used to over the last six years or so have been very slick and effective at imposing their game-plan but they are just not firing at the moment.
“Their combinations are not working and they look like a team in transition.
“England are in a much better place and have looked comfortable in both of their games so far.
“They have gone about their job in a workmanlike way and will look to get stuck into Ireland, although they should beware the choke tackle which is how Ireland will try and force turnovers.
“England need to vary their attack a little more but hopefully they have learned a few lessons from Dublin last year and will be smart enough to come out on top, although maybe not by as much as the Machine is saying.”
11/8 – England to win by 1-10 points | 9/2 – Billy Vunipola to score at any time
*Odds and amounts correct at time of publication but subject to change. See site for latest.
READ: Mike Tindall: England’s fresh start now hinges on banishing unhappy Twickenham memories
READ: Shuffling personnel and rugby in its purest form: 5 lessons from the Six Nations so far
