Couch Critic previews four of this weekend's Pro14 Rugby matches including Glasgow Warriors vs Southern Kings and Scarlets vs Cheetahs with best bets from @Olimp_SA

With the Rugby World Cup drawing to and end the focus will shortly start shifting to the north. The Pro 14 is well underway with all teams having played four matches in the group phase. From next week I will be focussing a bit more on what is transpiring in the North but for now here are the Pro 14 matches that have caught my eye this weekend and deserve a punt…

Glasgow Warriors vs Kings (Friday @ 21:35)

The Kings are still win-less in the tournament. The team from the Eastern Cape came bitterly close to Cardiff in their opener at home and kept Munster honest a week later. Yet honourable defeats help you little in this tough tournament. The South Africans started their three-match away leg with a loss to Benetton and should find it tough going for the next two weeks as well.

The Warriors have hardly set the world alight with their play to date. The men from Glasgow have only one win to show for their efforts thus far. In their last two outings the Scots sneaked past Cardiff at home and last week had to wait for the 80th minute to get their only points against the Dragon.

Verdict: The Kings are generally out of their depth in this tournament. Yet they have remained plucky fighters throughout and anything more than a 20-point head start is quite generous considering that Glasgow have hardly shot the lights out thus far.

Best Bet: Kings to stay within the handicap of +26.5 @ 1.82 with BETOLIMP

Anytime tryscorer Huw Jones @ 1.83

Scarlett vs Cheetahs (Saturday @ 17:00)

The Cheetahs got off to the perfect start at home in Bloemfontein going three from three and beating the likes of Munster and Ulster. Yet they had the perfect opportunity to announce themselves as realistic playoff contenders last week in Ireland but squandered a ten-point lead in the final ten minutes against Connacht. This week the Free Staters travel to Wales to take on the Scarlets.

The South Africans have started more impressively than the Llanelli based outfit who were humbled by Edinburgh in their previous game. Much like the Cheetahs the Scarlets have looked impressive enough on their home turf and certainly have workman-like pack to call on to set the required base upfront.

Verdict: Hawies Fourie still has to imprint himself on his new team and the burley Ox is now no longer part of the squad having left for the Sharks. With a poor record abroad I don’t see the Cheetahs recovering from last week’s setback.

Best Bet: Scarlets to win and beat the handicap of -3.5 @ 1.87 with BETOLIMP

Benetton Treviso vs Edinburgh (Saturday @ 19:15)

Verdict: Edinburgh’s only loss thus far has come away to Leinster – hardly something to be ashamed about. Benetton are always a tough nut at home but for mind this Scottish outfit are finding their groove nicely at present.

Best bet: Edinburgh to win @ 1.84 with BETOLIMP

Cardiff Blues vs Munster (Saturday @ 21:35)

Verdict: Cardiff have been dismal whilst Munster’s pedigree should see them have too much quality for the Blues despite stilling missing a load of internationals from their ranks.

Best Bet: Munster to win and beat the handicap of -2.5 @ 1.76 with BETOLIMP

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

Couch Critic