The knock-out phase of the 2018/19 Champions Cup will get underway on Saturday the 30th of March.
The Champions Cup returns this weekend with four blockbuster quarter-finals. Saturday will see Saracens square off with the Glasgow Warriors, Edinburgh take on Munster, and Leinster and Ulster square off in an all-Irish affair. The quarter-finals will come to a close on Sunday with a French derby between Racing 92 and Toulouse.
Edinburgh v Munster
Saturday 30 March
Murrayfield
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh 31/20
Draw 30/1
Munster 5/10
The first of this weekend’s quarter-finals is a Scottish-Irish affair with Edinburgh taking on the Glasgow Warriors.
The hosts secured a home quarter-final by virtue of topping Pool 5 which featured French heavyweights Montpellier and Toulon. Edinburgh won five of their six pool phase fixtures with their only defeat being a 21-15 away loss to Montpellier.
Like their opponents, Munster also topped their group but have been forced to play a quarter-final away from home as they had the lowest points tally of all the pool toppers. Munster also won four of their six pool games with their only defeat being a 13-12 away loss to Castres. They also draw 10-10 with the Exeter Chiefs.
In terms of recent results, Edinburgh won their last PRO 14 game 21-11 against Leinster, while Munster beat Zebre 31-12.
Verdict: Edinburgh 31/20
I think the home win represents great value here. Edinburgh have been in great touch in the PRO14 of late and I can see them continuing their solid run of form in Europe.
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Saracens v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 30 March
Allianz Park
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Saracens 1/9
Draw 30/1
Glasgow 5/1
The Scottish theme continues in our next match with the Glasgow Warriors travelling to London to take on the Saracens.
‘Sarries were the only side in the competition to win all of their six pool phase games and finished top of the pops in Pool 3. Glasgow were grouped in the same pool with the Scottish outfits only two losses coming at the hands of their English rivals.
In terms of domestic form, Glasgow have won their last two PRO14 games by margins in excess of 16 points, while Saracens lost to Bath 18-9 two weeks ago and beat Harlequins 27-20 last weekend.
Verdict: Saracens 1/9
The Saracens win is the most likely outcome here but if you can catch the Warriors on a plus line bigger than nine points I would recommend backing that.
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Leinster v Ulster
Saturday 30 March
Aviva Stadium
19:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Leinster 1/9
Draw 30/1
Ulster 5/1
We round out Saturday’s action with the first of the two derbies which will see reigning champions Leinster take on domestic foes Ulster.
Leinster won five o their six pool phase games on the way to topping pool 1 with their only defeat being a 28-27 away loss to Toulouse. Ulster also only suffered one defeat during the pool phase going down 44-12 to Racing. They were unable to top their pool, though, as they finished four points off racing Metro.
The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in the PRO14 last weekend with Ulster beating the Kings 33-19 and Leinster going 28-11 down to Edinburgh.
Verdict: Leinster 1/9
There may not be much value here but Leinster on the straight win is this weekend’s banker and should be added to all multiples.
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Racing 92 v Toulouse
Saturday 30 March
Paris La Defense Arena
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Racing 9/20
Draw 20/1
Toulouse 18/10
The quarter-final action will come to a close out in Paris where Racing Metro will take on Toulouse.
Both sides won five of their six pool phase games with Racing topping Pool 4 and Toulouse finishing second in Pool 1.
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The duo have been in solid touch domestically in recent weeks with Racing winning their last three fixtures and Toulouse winning their last eight. Their most recent victories saw Racing beat Bordeaux 45-27 and Toulouse beat La Rochelle 19-23.
Verdict: Toulouse 18/10
I’m on the away side here. They have already proved they know how to beat Racing this season and I can see them making it their consecutive wins over their domestic rivals.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net
