Darry Worthington previews the blockbuster New Year’s Day Top 14 clash between Clermont and Toulouse set to take place at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin.
To Win Match
Clermont 76/100 | Draw 20/1 | Toulouse 11/10
Clermont certainly had a poor close to 2022 with this weekend’s hosts losing four of their final six fixtures heading into the New Year. Three of these defeats came on the domestic front with their only Top 14 victory in this segment coming against Montpellier (19-14) at the start of December. Their other victory was a 24-14 win over the Stormers in the opening round of the Heineken Cup.
Their most recent domestic fixture was over the Christmas weekend and it wasn’t the gift they were hoping for as they could only salvage a losing bonus point from their 20-16 away defeat to CA Brive.
Toulouse had a far better time of it during the closing weeks of 2022 as they won four of their final five games with their only defeat coming at the hands of Lyon. They fared well in the Heineken Cup registering a 13-18 win over Munster and a 45-19 victory over an in-form Sale Sharks side. They also put in a solid shift on the domestic front last weekend as they beat a fired-up Castres side 22-18.
Verdict: Toulouse 11/10
The away side have been impeccable this season and I can see them starting 2023 with a win against their sputtering rivals.
Rapid Fire Tips
Bordeaux to beat Montpellier @ 1/3
Bayonne to beat Toulon @ 15/20
Castres to beat Racing @ 4/10
La Rochelle to beat Perpignan @37/100
Lyon to beat Brive @ 1/16
Stade to beat Pau @1/7
