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PRO14: Round 10 Preview

The first PRO14 round of 2020 will get underway on Friday the 3rd of January. Darry Worthington previews all of the action. 

There’s some great PRO14 rugby action being served up this weekend with returns for the Cheetahs and Kings as well as five derby fixtures.

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports

Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Friday 3 January
Cardiff Arms Park

21:35


To Win (80 Mins)
Blues 11/10
Draw 18/1

Scarlets 8/10

A Welsh derby is the first game on offer this weekend with the Cardiff Blues playing host to the Scarlets. Both teams come into this one in relatively good form with the hosts winning four of their last five fixtures and the visitors winning three of their last five.

Both also come into this one off the back of solid derby victories with the Blues beating the Dragons 16-12 and the Scarlets beating the Ospreys 44-0.

Verdict: Blues 11/10
While the Scarlets do come into this one off the back of a big win, I don’t think they’ll get much out of this one. My money is on the Blues claiming victory by between five and eight points. 

Ulster v Munster
Friday 3 January
Kingspan Stadium
21:35

To Win (80 Mins)
Ulster 7/10
Draw 18/1

Munster 5/4

We head across to Ireland for our second derby of the weekend which will see a buoyant Ulster side taking on Munster.

The hosts managed a great result last week as they hammered Connacht 35-3. This was their fourth victory in their last five outings.

Munster haven’t fared so well over the past month and a half and head into this one having only won two of their last five games. They also come into Friday evening’s fixture off the back of a 6-13 home defeat to Munster.

Verdict: Ulster 7/10
This should be a rather tight game as the two sides are pretty evenly matched. I can see the hosts taking it by no more than six points.

Benetton Treviso v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 4 January

Stadio Communale di Monigo
15:00



To Win (80 Mins)
Treviso 17/20
Draw 18/1
Warriors 21/20

We have our first non-derby of the weekend up next with Italian club Treviso taking on Scottish outfit Glasgow.

The hosts enjoyed a great festive season winning their home and away fixtures against domestic rivals Zebre.

Glasgow didn’t enjoy as good a time of it during the Christmas period as after beating domestic foes Edinburgh at home they then went down to the same opponents away.

Verdict: Warriors 21/20
This is a very interesting fixture.  Both teams could well win it which is why I won’t be having a huge strike on it. If pushed to make a call, I would back the visitors but by no more than five points.

Dragons v Ospreys
Saturday 4 January
Rodney Parade
17:00


To Win (80 Mins)

Dragons 9/20
Draw 18/1
Ospreys 37/20

The second and final Welsh derby of the weekend will see two struggling sides, in the form of the Dragons and Ospreys, go head-to-head at Rodney Parade.

The hosts have only won two of their last five fixtures and head into this one off the back of a 6-12 away defeat to the Cardiff Blues.

The Ospreys have endured an even tougher time of it of late losing their last five fixtures. They were absolutely annihilated in the previous round as well going down 44-0 to the Scarlets.

Verdict: Dragons 9/20
I cannot see the Ospreys doing anything here. M money is on the hosts taking it by more than seven. 

Zebre v Cheetahs
Saturday 4 January
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
17:00



To Win (80 Mins)
Zebre 5/2

Draw 18/1
Cheetahs 7/20

Zerbe will be looking for only their second win of the campaign when they take on a Cheetahs side who have enjoyed a two-week Christmas break.

While the Cheetahs were back at home with their feet up their opponents for this weekend were suffering two defeats at the hands of Italian rivals Treviso. The first game saw them go down 8-13 and the second 36-25.

Verdict: Cheetahs 7/20
I fancy the Cheetahs here. They’ll be desperate for the win and also fresh having been off for a few weeks. 

Leinster v Connacht
Saturday 4 January
RDS Arena
19:30


To Win (80 Mins)

Leinster 1/33
Draw 30/1
Connacht 17/2

Connacht have the unenviable task of taking on unbeaten Leinster in the penultimate game of the weekend.

The hosts maintained their unbeaten streak across all competitions by beat domestic rivals Munster by seven points last week.

Connacht didn’t fare as well during the mid-week Round 9 fixtures as they went down by 32 points to Ulster at the Kingspan.

Verdict: Leinster 1/33
While Munster will rest a plethora of players this weekend due to the Heineken Champions Cup returning next weekend, they will still have far too much power for Connacht. My money is on the hosts taking this one by more than 15.

Edinburgh v Southern Kings
Saturday 4 January
Murrayfield
21:45

To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh 1/33

Draw 30/1
Kings 17/2

Edinburgh will be looking to build on their victory over local rivals Glasgow when they take on a Kings side that will return after a two-week hiatus.

The hosts managed a great win last week as they got revenge over their local rivals, Glasgow, by winning their home fixture 29-19. This was their fourth victory in five games with their only defeat coming at the hands of Glasgow in the first fixture between the two sides.

Verdict: Edinburgh 1/33
I cannot see the hosts having any trouble breezing past the Kings. My money is on Edinburgh taking it by more than 18 points.  

Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.

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