We preview round three of this season’s Champions Cup, with Europe’s and South Africa’s big boys going at it once again.
Saturday 13 January
Saturday 13 January
Bristol Bears 57/100 | Draw 21/1 | Bulls 31/20 (17:15)
Handicap
Bristol (-3.5) 17/20 | Bulls (+3.5) 17/20
Bristol head into this one off the back of an impressive 22-14 win at Sale in the Premiership which will give them a confidence boost. Theirs has been a season of inconsistency, although Champions Cup playoff qualification is still within reach. They’ll back themselves on Saturday.
The Bulls are locked on five points with Bristol and Saracens in Pool 1 but occupy third. Victory at Ashton Gate would provide them with a major advantage in the race for the round of 16 and a powerful forward performance could make that a reality. Keep in mind that they’ve left their Boks at home, but still boast a vastly experienced side.
Verdict: Bulls at 31/20
If the Bulls front up, they will cause the Bears problems.
Stormers 1/5 | Draw 33/1 | Sale Sharks 7/2 (19:30)
Handicap
Stormers (-11.5) 17/20 | Sale (+11.5) 17/20
The Stormers have won their last three on the bounce and seem to be finding their rhythm this season after an indifferent start. The Cape Town faithful always seem to give them a boost as well, and one would think a stuttering Sale Sharks lineup won’t have the ability to contain them on Saturday.
The men from Manchester have lost their last two, meaning a drop from first to fifth on the Premiership table. Their plethora of South Africans will certainly make the forward battle an interesting one, but it’s unlikely to be enough to overturn a solid Stormers side at home.
Verdict: Sale o(+11.5) 17/20
Sale won’t be good enough on the day, but they won’t go down by much.
Sunday 14 January
Bath 37/100 | Draw 21/1 | Racing 23/10 (15:00)
Handicap
Bath (-5.5) 17/20 | Racing (+5.5) 17/20
Both Bath and Top 14 leaders Racing 92 are looking likely to properly challenge for silverware this season, making this weekend’s star-studded clash even more unmissable. The hosts are second in Pool 2 with two wins from two and will be confident of knocking over the Parisians at The Rec as they continue to push for top spot.
Although Racing lost both of their opening matchups in Europe, the quality in their squad means they can’t be written off just yet as they have the potential to spring a surprise on anyone on their day. Unfortunately for them, Bath are just looking too good at home at the moment.
Verdict: Racing (+5.5) 17/20
The away side to fall just short.
La Rochelle 1/12 | Draw 33/1 | Leicester Tigers 13/2 (17:15)
Handicap
La Rochelle (-16.5) 17/20 | Tigers (+16.5) 17/20
Ronan O’Gara’s back-to-back European champions have started their campaign poorly, sitting fifth in Pool 4 with two opening losses. That said, they’ll be coming out all guns blazing in their remaining matchups to keep alive their threepeat hopes, which could spell trouble for sides even as good as Leicester.
The Tigers may have had a chance at Welford Road and in a different scenario, but it’s very difficult seeing them getting anything out of this one.
Verdict: La Rochelle (-16.5) 17/20
The hosts to lay down a marker in this one.
Quickfire predictions
- Northampton v Bayonne: Northampton on the minus
- Lyon v Connacht: Connacht on the plus
- Exeter v Glasgow: Glasgow on the plus
- Toulon v Munster: Munster on the plus
- Leinster v Stade Francais: Leinster on the minus
- Cardiff v Harlequins: Quins on the minus
- Ulster v Toulouse: Toulouse on the minus
- Bordeaux v Saracens: Saracens to win on the board
