The European season reaches a critical stage this weekend with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals taking centre stage. In this blog we look at the 4 semi-finals from a betting angle.
ROAD TO THE SEMI-FINALS
The quarter-finals delivered a mix of tight contests and dominant performances.
In the Champions Cup,
- Bath edged Northampton (43-41) in a thriller coming from well behind to win
- Toulon beat Glasgow (22-19) in a game where they started underdogs
- Leinster thrashed Sale (43-13)
- Bordeaux Bègles beat Toulouse (30-15) coming from behind and assisted by a Toulouse red card
In the Challenge Cup,
- Exeter edged Benetton (44-41)
- Dragons beat Zebre (35-32)
- Montpellier beat Connacht (45-22)
- Ulster beat La Rochelle (41-24)
INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP – SEMI-FINALS
Leinster vs RC Toulon
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Leinster looked strong in their quarter-final win but the morale would have taken a knock after a shock away loss to Benetton in the URC.
Toulon arrive in strong form and showed real composure in their win over Glasgow.
Betting
Leinster 6/25
Draw 26/1
RC Toulon 19/5
Handicap: Leinster -9.5
Union Bordeaux Bègles vs Bath Rugby
Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole
Bordeaux have been one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the competition and backed that up with a strong win over Toulouse. Playing at home again is a big advantage.
Bath showed real resilience in their narrow win over Northampton and have proven they can grind out results in knockout rugby.
Betting
Bordeaux Bègles 21/100
Draw 25/1
Bath Rugby 21/5
Handicap: Bordeaux -10.5
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP – SEMI-FINALS
Ulster Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs
Ulster come into this off a strong win over La Rochelle and look well balanced heading into the semi-final. They rested players this past weekend in a big URC loss to Munster.
Exeter edged a tight one against Benetton and bring plenty of knockout experience, but have been inconsistent this season.
Betting
Ulster 93/100
Draw 24/1
Exeter Chiefs 34/33
Handicap: Ulster -0.5
Montpellier vs Dragons
Montpellier were dominant in their quarter-final and are clear favourites here.
The Dragons are the surprise package and will need a massive performance to stay competitive. They beat Zebre away in the URC in a repeat of their quarter-final win.
Betting
Montpellier 1/50
Draw 59/1
Dragons 16/1
Handicap: Montpellier -24.5
OUTRIGHT MARKET SNAPSHOT
Champions Cup Winner
Union Bordeaux Bègles 13/20
Leinster 2/1
Bath Rugby 22/3
RC Toulon 16/1
Challenge Cup Winner
Montpellier 3/5
Exeter Chiefs 7/2
Ulster Rugby 33/10
Dragons 63/1
