A method for encoding a digital image divided into a plurality of blocks of pixels. The method includes, for a current block: processing the current block to provide a set of description elements; selecting a subset of description elements to be predicted; ordering the description elements of the subset into an ordered sequence; and encoding the elements of the sequence. Encoding includes scrolling the elements of the sequence and includes, for a current element: selecting a combination of predicted values of the description elements of the current sequence from a plurality of possible combinations based on a predetermined cost criterion and from the second element, values of description elements previously processed of the initial sequence; predicting the current element of the sequence by its value in the selected combination; and encoding an indicator representative of a difference between the actual value of the current element and its predicted value.