Couch Critic previews Saturday's Champions Cup Rugby rugby action including Benneton vs Northampton, Saracens vs Ospreys, Lyon vs Leinster, Harlequins vs Bath and Munster vs Racing Metro with best bets from @Olimp_SA
The Champions Cup got underway last week. This is a brilliant tournament to watch as we see the very best clubs across Europe square off against each other. Of course, it’s also a bit tough predicting solid bets since you need sound knowledge of what is happening in the Pro14, Top14 as well as the English Premiership to be able to compare sides against each other. So, to start off we will keep stakes low – but as you well know, this is another opportunity to punt and I’m not going to sit on the side-lines without having a punt.
Benneton vs Northampton (Saturday @ 15:00)
The Italian lads have hardly set the world alight in the Pro 14 but they have been competitive, particularly at home and are a vastly improved team from a few seasons ago. In the Pro 14 they recently had the beating of Edinburgh at their home base in Treviso. Last weekend they also kept Leinster relatively honest.
The Saints have started decently in the Premiership but did slip up away to Bath last time out. In the Champions Cup they took down the high-flying Lyon last week and as such have been made favourites for this clash.
Betting angle: The Italians are a different animal at home and I reckon the English side will have their hands full in getting the victory, let alone covering a decent cap.
Saracens vs Ospreys (Saturday @ 15:00)
Their English internationals are all still busy shaking off the knocks and bruises (physical and emotional) picked up against the Boks yet Saracens have already experienced a heavy blow off the field. Salary cap irregularities have seen the mighty English club slapped with a hefty penalty. There has subsequently been lots of talk around the London based outfit, and defending Heineken Cup Champions, scrapping their European endeavours in favour of putting all efforts into side stepping relegation on the domestic front.
Betting angle: Sarries have made it clear that they will focus on the Gallagher Premiership. Yet this is their 100th European Cup game and I also expect a few returning internationals to get a bit of a taste. Ospreys have just been dismal this season and I certainly won’t be going against Saracens in this one.
Lyon vs Leinster (Saturday @ 17:00)
Sitting pretty at the top of the French Top14 Lyon hit a bit of a speed wobble at Franklin’s Gardens this past Sunday. The French are always a tough nut at home but one has to wonder whether the Lyon lads are more focussed on the domestic front.
Perennial title contenders, Leinster will always be focussed on Champions Cup affairs as well as Pro 14 matters. The Irish are six from six in the Pro 14 league and come off an opening round victory over Benneton. As an added bonus the Irish national players should be well and truly integrated back into the team at this stage.
Betting angle: Everyone knows the French teams lift themselves at home yet I can’t see past this Leinster team notching up another victory and in all likelihood covering the cap as well.
Harlequins vs Bath (Saturday @ 19:30)
It’s two English teams crossing swords in this clash. Harlequins enjoy home advantage, but Bath have left Northampton and Exeter in their wake in the recent past. Harlequins recently came up short when hosting the Worcester Warriors and were well beaten last week by Clermont.
Betting angle: For mind Bath is the better side but since they are away at the Stoop it should probably be a straight toss up between the two teams (at best). The value has to lie with Bath in this one.
Munster vs Racing Metro (Saturday @ 19:30)
Locally the two teams have enjoyed vastly different fortunes. Munster are going great guns in the Pro 14 whilst Racing are struggling to get going in the Top 14. Last week Racing dispatched of Saracens with ease whilst Munster did what was required of them to get past Ospreys.
Betting angle: Racing were impressive against Sarries yet I have to go with the proven European quality of the Irish team here. Munster don’t get overturned on their own patch very often.
BETOLIMP BETTING PLAYS:
Leinster (win) onto Munster (win) @ 2.16
Benetton +10.5 / Sarries – 17.5 / Leinster (win) @ 2.68
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
