Shaun Goosen takes a look at this weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup fixtures from Pool three, four and five.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday 10 January
Bath v Harlequins
21h45
Recreation Ground
To Win Match
Bath 9/10
Draw 20/1
Harlequins 9/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
While both sides may be out of playoff contention, there will still be pride to play for when Bath welcome Harlequins to the Rec on Friday.
The hosts have lost all four of their Pool 3 encounters this season, which includes a 15-9 defeat by the Quins at the Stoop. Domestically, they are four from eight.
While the equally mediocre Quins are three from eight in the Premiership, their five Pool C Champions Cup points is two more than Bath have managed so far. That said, Bath should leapfrog their English foes with a win at home on Friday.
Verdict: Bath by five or more
Saturday 11 January
Clermont Auvergne v Ulster
15h00
Stade Marcel Michelin
To Win Match
Clermont 1/3
Draw 25/1
Ulster 24/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
The reigning Challenge Cup holders may have one win less than Ulster after their defeat at Ravenhill earlier this season but can overtake them into first place ahead of the final round-robin weekend.
Ulster, though, were phenomenal in a 38-17 Pro14 drubbing of Munster last week. If they can take that form into this trip and claim a win, they would have all but wrapped up the Pool.
An upset does seem unlikely, however, with Clermont always so deadly at home. They should be good enough to take it.
Verdict: Clermont by 12 points
Ospreys v Saracens
15h00
Liberty Stadium
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Lowly Ospreys will be hoping for a magical performance to see off Saracens at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Welsh club is languishing at the bottom of Conference A in the Pro14 after picking up just one win in 10, while they are still naught from four in Europe.
That record doesn’t look set to change this weekend, as the reigning champions pay a visit to Swansea.
Sarries sit third in the Pool, trailing Munster by a single point. With the latter playing away in Paris on Sunday, a win should be enough to see Mark McCall’s men leapfrog them into playoff position.
Verdict: Saracens by 14 points
Connacht v Toulouse
17h15
Galway Greyhound Stadium
To Win Match
Connacht 21/10
Draw 22/1
Toulouse 7/20
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
A win over Toulouse can keep third-placed Connacht in playoff contention at the Galway Greyhound Stadium on Saturday.
Despite having one more win (two) from their four games than second-placed Gloucester, the Irishmen find themselves trailing their English counterparts by one point in the Pool.
A loss this weekend could spell the end for them with a trip to Montpellier still to come.
Meanwhile, with the Pool as good as won, Toulouse will need to avoid complacency this Saturday to keep intact their unbeaten record. That said, Connacht’s desire may see them end that perfect start.
Verdict: Connacht by five
Gloucester v Montpellier
19h30
Kingsholm Stadium
To Win Match
Gloucester 1/7
Draw 25/1
Montpellier 9/2
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Gloucester can end Montpellier’s slim playoff hopes with a win at the Kingsholm on Saturday.
The Englishmen are in second despite winning just one of their matches so far. With a tricky away fixture in Toulouse to come, a W for them here would go a long way to ensuring they remain alive in the competition.
Montpellier, meanwhile, are seriously up against it. Consecutive bonus-point wins can do it for them, but they’ll need to call on all their might if they are to begin on Saturday. They may fall short this weekend.
Verdict: Gloucester by five
Sunday 12 January
Racing 92 v Munster
17h15
La Défense Arena
To Win Match
Racing 1/4
Draw 25/1
Munster 28/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Racing 92 can win Pool 4 with victory over Munster at La Défense Arena on Sunday.
The Parisian outfit are six points ahead of second-placed Munster and will wrap up top spot if they can beat them at home.
Johann van Graan’s men on the other hand, are in serious danger of missing out on qualification. A loss here will determine just how much energy they need to put into next week’s home tie against Ospreys.
Munster were dismal in last week’s big loss at Ulster and will be under even more pressure to deliver now that Joey Carbery has been ruled out indefinitely. You’d have to fancy the hosts for this one.
Verdict: Racing 92 by 12 points
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.
