Couch Critic previews selected Champions Cup Rugby matches taking place on 13th and 14th December including Harlequins vs Ulster, Benneton vs Lyon, Montpellier vs Toulouse and Saracens vs Munster with best bets from @Olimp_SA
We move into the second phase of the Champions Cup this weekend. With teams having faced each other once already the initial hierarchy has been established. In some cases there is still some strong competition for the qualifying spots at the top and at others we can already spot some teams re-averting their focus to their respective domestic fronts.
Harlequins vs Ulster (Friday @ 21:45)
Ulster find themselves in a good space both in the Pro 14 as well as the Champions Cup, where they are topping Pool 3. The Irish team will know that they need to continue their recent form and put another win on the board to move into qualification territory. Harlequins gave Ulster a proper scare last week but I expect a more focused Ulster side to pitch up and secure an important victory.
Benneton vs Lyon (Saturday @ 14:45)
We’ve said it over and over again that this Benetton side is a different proposition when playing at home. Lyon gave the Italians a proper smack last week but with only one victory in the Champions Cup thus far I believe the French outfit will focus on their domestic campaign where they still find themselves at the top of the log. An away trip to Castres next week could very well be top of their priorities at present.
Montpellier vs Toulouse (Saturday @ 17:00)
These teams meet in the reverse fixture of last week. Toulouse had little trouble in swatting their fellow Frenchmen aside with a comfortable 23-9 home victory. The visitors weren’t even able to cross the Toulouse tryline and one struggles to see how they can overturn this result in only a week’s time with only home advantage as benefit.
Toulouse have shown great recent form across all competitions and they will be keen on going well clear in Pool 5 with a valuable away win.
Saracens vs Munster (Saturday @ 17:00)
This promises to be the match of the weekend. I have not been a fan of Munster in recent times whilst the Saracens lads are just about bumbling under their very top level. At some stage these Sarries pros could cut loose and really dish out a hiding. But I just don’t have the confidence to back a specific play for this one and will rather focus my betting funds on some of the other games mentioned above.
BETOLIMP BETTING PLAYS:
Double: Ulster win onto Benneton +7.5 @ 1.98
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
