In this blog we keep an eye on all things betting related ahead of round 4 of the URC.
URC Round 4 early handicaps
Posted 20 October 06h37
The bookmakers have released their opening handicaps for Round 4. Below are the early lines, with my projections shown in brackets.
Cardiff -2.5 v Sharks (my projection: Cardiff +4.5)
Connacht -18.5 v Zebre (my projection: Connacht -18.5)
Edinburgh -7.5 v Lions (my projection: Edinburgh -6.5)
Bulls -17.5 v Ulster (my projection: Bulls -15.5)
Benetton +7.5 v Glasgow Warriors (my projection: Benetton +6.5)
Stormers -21.5 v Scarlets (my projection: Stormers -15.5)
Leinster -15.5 v Munster (my projection: Leinster -11.5)
Ospreys -7.5 v Dragons (my projection: Ospreys -7.5)
The biggest difference of opinion is in Cardiff, where I made the Sharks 4.5-point favourites, but the bookmakers are currently Cardiff -2.5.
I am also well below the market in the Stormers game, having projected -15.5 compared with the opening -21.5, while I made Leinster four points shorter than the bookmakers have them against Munster.
I was spot on with Connacht -18.5 and Ospreys -7.5. There will be no early action from me, and I’ll wait for team news and further markets before getting involved.
URC Round 4 Handicap Projections
Posted Oct 19 07h20
Here are my handicap projections for Round 4. I will compare these with the bookies lines later today.
Cardiff +4.5 v Sharks
Connacht -18.5 v Zebre
Edinburgh -6.5 v Lions
Bulls -15.5 v Ulster
Stormers -15.5 v Scarlets
Benetton +6.5 v Glasgow Warriors
Leinster -11.5 v Munster
Ospreys -7.5 v Dragons
I have a feeling I will be well out on a few of these
Click here for the round 3 review
Table update
Edinburgh now top the table with 14 points, one ahead of Glasgow Warriors.
The Bulls and Stormers occupy third and fourth place respectively, with both teams on 11 points, while the Sharks are a further point behind on 10.
Cardiff, the Lions and Dragons complete the top eight, with all three sides on nine points. The table remains extremely congested at this early stage of the season, with Munster sitting just outside the playoff places, also on nine points.
Pre-season favourites Leinster have climbed to tenth, but remain six points behind leaders Edinburgh.
Round 4 fixtures
Friday 23 October
Cardiff v Sharks – 20:45 SAST, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Connacht v Zebre – 20:45 SAST, Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Edinburgh v Lions – 20:45 SAST, Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday 24 October
Bulls v Ulster – 13:45 SAST, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Stormers v Scarlets – 16:00 SAST, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Benetton v Glasgow Warriors – 16:00 SAST, Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Leinster v Munster – 19:00 SAST, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ospreys v Dragons – 20:00 SAST, St Helen’s, Swansea
I’ll be back on Monday morning, with my handicap projections for the weekend.
