The United Rugby Championship continues this weekend and we take a look at all 4 matches featuring South African teams.
Let’s start with a look at the latest Outright Betting where Leinster remain firm favourites at 5/10 to win the title, Ulster are second favourites at 8/1 and we have got 4 teams priced at 9/1 including South African outfits, Stormers, Blue Bulls and the Sharks who are alongside Munster. You can get 33/1 and better the balance with the Lions priced at 55/1.
Click here for URC Outright Betting
FRIDAY
EDINBURGH v LIONS
Edinburgh are coming off a disappointing Tour of South Africa in the sense that they played well in patches, but failed to get a victory. They were narrowly beaten by the Blue Bulls, 33-31 in their opening game and last week were comprehensively beaten in the end by the Stormers, 34-18. They return home where they had their opening match of the season and beat the Dragons 44-6.
The Lions lost their opening game at home to the Bulls, but beat Ospreys 28-27 in the first match of their travels and last week were impressive in beating Cardiff 31-18.
Edinburgh certainly look to be a tougher task and money has come for Edinburgh with the early -5.5 snapped up and the Handicap now sitting at -11.5.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Edinburgh 2/9
Draw 30/1
Lions 15/4
Handicap: Edinburgh -11.5
Suggested Bet: Lions over 20.5 points at 19/20
While I agree with the fact that Edinburgh are favourites in this game, I like the way this Lions side are playing and I think they can reach the 21 points needed to deliver this bet.
SATURDAY
ZEBRE v STORMERS
Zebre only lost by 4 points at home to Leinster in Week 1, a game where they started 32 point underdogs, they were then beaten by 5 points by the Sharks at home although they did score a few consolation tries in that one. Last week they were well backed on the handicap against Munster eventually going down by 16 points, but that was good enough for Zebre punters with Munster having been 28 point favourites.
The Stormers have played 2 matches both at home, beating Connacht by 23 points and then Edinburgh by 16. The defending Champions go into this match as big favourites, but they are missing a couple of players and I don’t think they are going to have things all their own way against a much improved Zebre side.
Betting – Click here to bet
Zebre 5/1
Draw 35/1
Stormers 1/6
Handicap: Zebre +14.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Zebre +14.5 at 17/20
The Stormers should win this one, but I think it is going to be closer than the bookmakers expect.
LEINSTER v SHARKS
Leinster looked sluggish at the start of the competition letting Zebre right back into the match eventually winning 33-29 in Italy. They then beat Benetton by 32 points at home which was very much where the handicap was set before turning in their best performance of the season with a 20-13 win over Ulster away in wet conditions last week.
They face a Sharks side that beat Zebre in a high scoring encounter in their first match in Italy, but last week they required a late score to beat the Dragons 20-19 in Wales. Given they started the match 8.5 point favourites it was a disappointing showing from the Sharks.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Leinster 1/7
Draw 35/1
Sharks 6/1
Handicap: -14.5
Suggested Bet: Sharks over 17.5 points at 8/10
Leinster are worthy favourites for this game, but their defence hasn’t looked as strong as it has in previous seasons and the Sharks should be able to get a few points and I am hoping they take their 3 point penalties early on.
GLASGOW v BLUE BULLS
Glasgow went down by 15 points to the Ospreys away last week, a disappointing result given bookmakers made it an even game. The week before they were strong at home beating Cardiff 52-24 and in their opening game of the season they went down 33-11 to Benetton away.
The Bulls beat the Lions away in their first match of the season before edging Edinburgh at home and last week they were too strong for Connacht winning by 14 points at Loftus.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Glasgow 23/20
Draw 22/1
Blue Bulls 17/20
Handicap: Glasgow +1.5
Suggested bet: Match Points, over 49.5 points at 17/20
The Bulls are playing much more enterprising rugby than what we have seen in past seasons and Glasgow at home are always good for a few point. Let’s hope we see 50 or more in this one.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
