The United Rugby Championship continues this weekend and we take a look at the 4 matches involving South African teams from a betting angle.
Let’s begin with a look at the Outright Betting where Leinster remain odds on favourites at 4/6 to win the Title after their impressive victory over the Bulls last week. Irish rivals, Munster are 7/2 with Ulster 15/2 and you can get 16/1 the Bulls and 20/1 and better the balance.
Click here for United Rugby Championship Outright Betting
FRIDAY
SCARLETS v LIONS
The Scarlets are coming off an opening weekend 26-22 defeat in Edinburgh and having opened (-14.5) points for this game the money has come for their opponents and their handicap now sits at (-11.5).
The Lions were underdogs for their opening clash against Zebre, but they started off brilliantly, racing into a 35-0 half-time lead before eventually winning the match 38-26.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Scarlets 1/7
Draw 35/1
Lions 11/2
Handicap: Scarlets (-11.5) at 9/10, Lions (+11.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Scarlets (-11.5) at 9/10
The money has now come for the Lions, but I am leaning towards the Scarlets here. It will be a typical Welsh evening with plenty of rain and wind about and although the Scarlets are missing a few players I think they will be too strong for a Lions team that I think are going to dislike the conditions.
CONNACHT v BULLS
Connacht were in with a shout in their match against Cardiff away for long periods last week, but eventually went down 33-21. They face a Bulls side that was well backed on the handicap in their match away to Leinster, it was (+24.5) when the betting came out and the Bulls started just (+17.5), but there were plenty of punters crying into the beer after that game as the Bulls were hammered 31-3 by a brilliant Leinster side.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Connacht 5/8
Draw 25/1
Bulls 15/10
Handicap: Connacht (-2.5) at 9/10, Bulls (+2.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Bulls win at 15/10
Yes, it was disappointing for the Bulls to lose by 28 points to Leinster, but after getting blown away early they actually came back into the game and held their own for long periods, Connacht are a decent side, but not in Leinster’s league and I think the Bulls can get their first win of the campaign.
SATURDAY
GLASGOW WARRIORS v SHARKS
Glasgow Warriors were beaten 35-29 by Ulster in their opening game and while disappointed to lose the match those who backed them on the handicap at (+13.5) showed a nice profit.
There was plenty of support for the Sharks last week with an opening line of (+26.5) getting backed into (+21.5) at kick off. The early punters celebrated, but those who only got on the Sharks late lost their money as they went down 42-17 to lose by 25 points.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Glasgow Warriors 1/4
Draw 28/1
Sharks 7/2
Handicap: Glasgow Warriors (-8.5) at 9/10, Sharks (+8.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Glasgow (-8.5) at 9/10
There looks to be plenty of rain about and the fact that this is played on a 4G pitch means we should get a few points. I was quite impressed with Glasgow last week and I think they can beat the Sharks side by a double figure margin.
MUNSTER v STORMERS
As mentioned above, Munster were comfortable victors over the Sharks winning by 25 points in the end. There is no surprise that bookies are once again making them strong favourites at the biggest handicap of the weekend at (-23.5).
Stormers started underdogs last week against Benetton, but they led 11-7 at the break only to lose the match 22-18.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Munster 1/33
Draw 80/1
Stormers 13/1
Handicap: Munster (-23.5) at 9/10, Stormers (+23.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (+23.5) at 9/10
Munster should win this game without too many problems, but the Stormers showed me enough last week to suggest that they can at least beat the handicap.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
