Scotch Game vs Italian Game- Which is better for Intermediate Players (White)

I have had recent trouble picking an opening recently. For intermediate players, which is a better opening: Scotch Game or Italian Game?

I would recommend the Italian and this line

You will generally have a fun, open game

If you are going to play the Italian, 4.d3 is better these days than 4.c3.

As far as Italian or Scotch for intermediate players, that is like asking should I give my kid vanilla or chocolate ice cream.  Depends on the kid.  Different strokes for different folks.

Why would you tell a beginner to play positional chess, making them bored with the game, and giving them concepts they can't understand. C3 D4 is understandable and fun

I play the Scotch personally, but they're equally good on this level.

I think scotch is better personally

Scotch has less variations , is less sharp and probably easier to learn and play

Scotch

For intermediate players, (around 1800-2200), I think the Italian is better. The Italian allows many chances for White to win. However, the scotch is very easy to draw against. The Scotch is definitely more fun though. 

Either Scotch Game of Italian Game would be good...

Scotch Game & Gambit...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Game

https://chesspathways.com/chess-openings/kings-pawn-opening/scotch-game/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOmVdolCRGU&ab_channel=TheChessGiant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nr1CcOoevM&ab_channel=TheChessGiant

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLssNbVBYrGcBctwKwnUP9YjDZv7OfiOm5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIyuyX_I3z4&ab_channel=HangingPawns

Introduction to The Italian Game & Evans Gambit...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/introduction-to-the-italian-game

I chose the Italian, you will get equal amounts of 3..Bc5 3...Nf6 and 3...h6

you will get easy wins against 3...h6

Against 3...Bc5 I looked up the 4.c3 and 7.Bd2 traditional line.

Against 3...Nf6 I just play 4.d3 and wing it so the better player on the day will win.

First Italian followed by scotch.  Preferably single malt.

I am an experienced but still largely beginner level player. My own plan which should be taken with a grain of salt is to learn the Scotch as a beginner, move on to the Italian as an intermediate, and learn the Ruy López when I become advanced. 

The line that put me off the scotch for daily chess was 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 which looked pretty complicated if I was to play the scotch it would be the four Knights scotch so instead of 5.Nxc6 it would be 5.Nc3 

I might suggest just trying the Scotch Gambit. 

I have tried it a few times and it just seems to transpose to the 2 knights.

My confusion is that didn't Garry Kasparov play Scotch a lot?

Please disregard anyone telling you not to play a specific opening because at the top 100 it is considered as "not playable". This is laughable. 99,9% of the people giving this advice have 0 I idea on how to refute such an "unplayable" opening. Everything and I mean everything is playable at your level (and mine also). 

I would advise to :

-Find the opening you enjoy the most, and then

-Try to learn the concepts behind such an opening (ie : where do the pieces usually go, what is the short term/long term plan, if there something critical in the move orders ?). 

-Look at your mistakes. IMO this is the best advice. Find out where you went wrong in the opening/middlegame and try to burn this mistake in your brain and not replicate it

But to answer you question, I have played both but mostly Italian games lately. I agree with @cogadhtintreach that the 6. cxd4 Italian opening is really enjoyable, concrete, open and playable to get a small edge.

I would advise against playing the Giuoco Pianissimo:  1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3  because it is a slow positional game that might bore you.

Scotch overpowered