Darry Worthington previews the two PRO14 catch-up fixtures which will see Connacht take on Treviso on Friday evening and Glasgow take on the Dragons on Saturday.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
We have an extremely short PRO14 fixtures list this coming weekend with Connacht versus Treviso and Glasgow versus the Dragons the only two games that are set to be played. With the PRO14 set to go on a break until Christmas after these games conclude, this is the last chance punters will have to up their Christmas kitty courtesy of the competition.
Connacht v Treviso
Friday 4 December
Galway Greyhound Stadium
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht 1/6
Draw 25/1
Treviso 4/1
We start things off over at Galway where Irish Province Connacht will tackle Italian side Treviso. The hosts have been slightly hit and miss this year winning three of their five games. Their victories have come against Glasgow (28-24), Edinburgh (26-37) and Zebre 12-47, while they have lost to the Scarlets (14-20) and the Cardiff Blues (29-7). Their last game was the aforementioned big victory over Treviso’s domestic foes, Zebre.
Treviso have had a far worse start to the campaign and have lost the six games they have played going down to Ulsters (35-24), Leinsters (25-37), the Scarlets (3-10), the Cardiff Blues (22-5), the Ospreys (24-22) and the Dragons (19-26).
In terms of the recent head-to-head contests between the sides, Connacht have won all of the last five fixtures and one the last clash between the due 41-5.
Verdict: Connacht 1/6
While I fully expect the hosts to win it, I don’t think it will be by much. Treviso have managed to give most teams they’ve played this season a real run for their money and I reckon they’ll do that again this Friday.
Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons
Saturday 5 December
Scotstoun Stadium
21:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Glasgow 2/9
Draw 22/1
Dragons 34/10
Next up it’s the struggling Glasgow Warriors taking on the Newport Gwent Dragons. Both sides have only managed to wins this season but Glasgow have played two more games than their opponents. They only sit above the Dragons on Conference A courtesy of a superior points differential of only eight points.
Both teams head into this off the back of much-needed wins with the hosts beating Cardiff 10-19 this past Monday and the Dragons beating Treviso 19-26 on Sunday afternoon.
The recent head-to-head stats lean towards Glasgow with the Scottish side winning three of the last five encounters. There has also been a draw while the Dragons have only won a solitary game. Glasgow one last season’s meeting at the Scotstoun between the sides 34-19.
Verdict: Glasgow 2/9
Homeground advantage should be enough to see Glasgow win what I’m predicting will be a sloppy old affair.
