After winning their opening European Champions Cup pool match last week the Sharks head overseas for the next assignment which comes against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.
Leicester Tigers v Sharks, Saturday 14th December, Leicester, KO 19:30 (South African time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo (Ita) , Manuel Bottino (Ita)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Weather Forecast - Leicester
Leicester Tigers:
The Tigers began their Champions Cup campaign away to Union Bordeaux-Begles and they finished a beaten side, going down 42-28. They conceded 6 tries in total but scored 4 to earn a bonus point which puts them fourth best in the early Pool 1 standings.
In the Premiership the Tigers are in third position with 5 wins and 2 defeats against their name, 5 points off the pace being set by Bath and Bristol Bears.
In the Champions Cup last season Leicester won 2 and lost 2 of their pool matches, one of those wins came at home to the Stormers (35-26). In the Round of 16 they went down 36-22 away to Leinster.
Each team plays 4 pool matches and when we resume in January Leicester will host Ulster and they finish up away to Stade Toulouse
In the outright betting to win the Champions Cup Leicester are priced at around 110/1
Sharks:
The Sharks took on Exeter Chiefs in Durban in their opening pool match, they started as favourites at around -15.5 points on the bookmakers main handicap line and they came through with a 39-21 victory. The Sharks scored 5 tries (and conceded 3) to earn the full 5 log points, a feat also achieved by Stade Toulouse and Bordeaux in Pool 1.
Last season the Sharks were involved in the Challenge Cup which they won, beating Gloucester in the final in London.
Each team plays 4 pool matches and in January the Sharks host Toulouse and finish up in Bordeaux and in the outright betting to win the Champions Cup the Sharks are priced at around 25/1
Team News
Leicester: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Josh Bassett, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 George Martin, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Cronin, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Cameron Henderson, 20 Emeka Ilione, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Jamie Shillcock, 23 Joe Woodward
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi (captain), 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne’ Rahl, 20 Tino Mavesere, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Diego Appollis, 23 Hakeem Kunene
The Betting
Updated 14 Dec 07h59
Leicester Tigers -14.5 points at 9/10
Sharks +15.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 14 Dec 08h06
There has been big movement in this game with the -10.5 Leicester going oiut as far as -15.5 on the back of team news and the fact that the Sharks have left some big guns at home.
In the interests of full disclosure I am already on the -10.5 Sharks which was posted in the forum and the question now is whether the -14.5 is big enough.
Looking at the Sharks bench in particular I don't think so and while I will not be over extending given my early involvement I am calling the -14.5 Leinster as a play for those not involved.
The points line is set at 52.5 and conditions look like being decent - I have not found any try odds offered yet but another alternative would be a Leicester over 4.5 tries if the quote makes sense.
Bet: 4 units Leicester -14.5 at 10/11 at Sportingbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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