STORMERSA preview of Friday's United Rugby Championship clash between the Dragons and the Stormers including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

Dragons vs. Stormers, United Rugby Championship 15 October 20:35

 

Dragons

 

The Dragons go into their fourth clash of the United Rugby Championship in eighth place on the log with a record of one win and two losses. They managed to pick up maximum points in Ireland last week and along with a losing bonus point in each of their first two clashes they now have a total of 7 points. The Welsh side are back at home this week and look to move into double digits when they take on the Stormers in this weekend’s opening clash.

 

Last week the Dragons were given +7.5 points on the handicap by the bookies for their clash with Connacht and didn’t look in danger of failing to cover at any stage in the match. Jonah Holmes scored the only try of the first half for the Dragons, while Connacht were restricted to just four Jack Carty penalties which was enough to leave the visitors trailing 12-8 at half time. The Dragons came out firing after the break and scored two quick tries courtesy of Jordan Williams and big man Mesake Doge. Jonah Holmes added a second try to his name in the final quarter of the match and despite two second half tries by the hosts the Dragons were able to hold on for a 35-22 win.

 

Prior to last week the Welsh side were involved in two narrow losses to Leinster (6-7) and Ospreys (23-27). In their match against Leicester they easily covered the pre match handicap of +16.5, while they missed on covering in their clash against Ospreys where they were slight favourites.

 

Stormers

 

After a disappointing draw last week the Stormers are still without a win in the tournament and sit in 15th place on the log with just three points. They head into their final clash before a one month break with a record of one draw and two losses. It still remains uncertain if their next match will be played in Italy or in South Africa, but it’s certain that they will want at least one win to their name before it takes place!

 

Last week the Capetonians were given a 6.5 point head start by the bookies for their clash in Edinburgh and after going down 14-0 in the first 5 minutes they looked like they were not going to come close to covering the handicap. However, Warrick Gelant had other ideas and hit back for the visitors shortly after and another try by Paul De Wet later in the half got the Stormers right back into the match. A couple of penalties on both sides meant the sides went into half time at 20 points apiece. Things remained very tight in the second half and disappointingly there would be no further points added in the match despite a few attempts at goal by Tim Swiel.

 

In the second round of the competition the Stormers lost 34-18 to Munster but they did manage to cover the pre match handicap of +24.5 points, while in their opening encounter they also covered a handicap of +6.5 points when they lost 22-18 to Italian side Benetton.

 

Prediction

 

I am quite surprised to see the handicap set as low as -3.5 points in favour of the Dragons. Despite the Welsh team losing both of their home games so far this season I feel that they should easily walk away with the win on Friday night. There was some improvement from the Stormers in Scotland last week, but the Dragons were really impressive for me against Connacht in a match where they were big underdogs.

 

The weather forecast for Friday night is decent enough for Wales so I am not expecting a tight affair and I reckon the Dragons could easily run in four tries or more against this Stormers team. I believe the value lies with taking the Dragons on both the half time and full time handicap in this match.

 

I always like to throw a tryscorer or two into the mix and for me the best option looks like Jonah Holmes who got a double last week for the Dragons, while for the Stormers I am going to have a crack at Evan Roos to cross the white line. The youngster had an incredible debut season in the Currie Cup and it’s only a matter of time before he scores his first try in this tournament.

 

BetOlimp Best Bets

 

Dragons -3.5 – 1.87
First half handicap: Dragons -1.5 – 1.85
First Tryscorer: Jonah Holmes – 10.00
Anytime Tryscorer: Evan Roos – 3.75

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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