After a week’s break for the European Rugby Champions and Challenge Cups, the PRO 14 will return on Saturday the 27th of April.
The final set of round-robin PRO 14 fixtures for the 2018/19 season will take place on Saturday the 27th of April. All the fixtures will be derby affairs and there are still a few play-off spots up for grabs, so there should be fireworks aplenty.
Dragons v Scarlets
Saturday 27 April
Principality Stadium
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Dragons 47/10
Draw 25/`
Scarlets 1/7
We kick things off with an all-Welsh affair as the Dragons play host to the Scarlets. The Dragons have nothing to play for here bar pride while the Scarlets are still in with a chance of claiming a play-off spot but would need to bag a win and hope that Treviso and Edinburgh lose their fixtures.
The Scarlets come into this one off the back of slightly much better form than their opponents having won three of their last five fixtures, with their most recent victory coming in Round 20 where they beat Treviso 42-0. The Dragons best result in their last five games was their 18-18 Round 19 draw with the Kings.
Verdict: Scarlets 1/7
I fancy the visitors here. They will be desperate to win this game to give themselves an outside chance of making the play-offs. I can see that desperation getting them across the line.
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Zebre v Treviso
Saturday 27 April
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Zebre 36/10
Draw 20/1
Treviso 1/5
Next up is the all-Italian affair between Zebre and Treviso. A victory for the hosts would ensure a play-offs appearance, which would be a massive coup for them considering they have been also-rans in the PRO12 and PRO14 for years. Zebre, on the other hand, have nothing to play for.
Zebre have lost their last five fixtures and went down 42-0 to the Scarlets in Round 20, while Treviso followed up their stunning 27-27 draw with Leinster by going down 28-37 to Munster in Round 20.
Verdict: Treviso
I fully expect Treviso to claim the points here. It’s likely to be a tough fought derby but the visitors quality should see them through.
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Cheetahs v Kings
Saturday 27 April
Toyota Stadium
18:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Cheetahs 2/11
Draw 25/1
Kings 4/1
We head over to South Africa for our next fixture which will see the Cheetahs and Kings square off in a derby. Both teams have endured underwhelming seasons with the Cheetahs sixth on the Conference A standings and the Kings in sixth on the Conference B standings.
The two sides had conflicting results in Round 20 with the Cheetahs beating the Dragons 38-13 and the Kings going down 7-43 to the Ospreys.
I fancy the hosts to close out their season on a high note. I expect a win in excess of 14 points for the hosts.
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Ulster v Leinster
Saturday 27 April
Kingspan Stadium
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Ulster
Draw
Leinster
*Betting to be added on release
Next up is a cracking Irish derby between Ulster and Leinster, The visitors have already secured top spot on the Conference B standings and may rest a whole string of first-team players after their gruelling yet successful Champions Cup tie against Toulouse last weekend.
Ulster have also secured their place in the knock-out phase of the tournament with their 7-29 Round 20 away victory sealing second spot on the Conference B standings.
Verdict: Leinster *Betting to be added on release
Both teams are likely to field weakened sides but I think Leinster’s second-stringers may be stronger than Ulster’s. I’ll be having a small crack on the away side here.
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Cardiff Blues v Ospreys
Saturday 27 April
Principality Stadium
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Cardiff
Draw
Ospreys
*Betting to be added on release
Our second and final Welsh derby is next up with the Cardiff Blues taking on the Ospreys. Both teams are out of the running for a play-offs berth, so this will essentially be an exhibition match.
The two sides have experienced contrasting fortunes over the past fortnight with Cardiff losing to Connacht and Munster, while the Ospreys have beaten the Kings and Cheetahs while on their tour of South Africa.
Verdict: Cardiff *Betting to be added on release
I’m going to back the home side here. As there’s nothing to play for, though, I will be keeping my outlay to a minimum.
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Munster v Connacht
Saturday 27 April
Thomond Park
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Munster 1/7
Draw 25/1
Connacht 47/10
The penultimate game of the weekend will see Munster and Connacht square off in an Irish derby. Both teams have booked their place in the play-offs, so again this is an exhibition match and will likely see to very young sides run out on to the field.
Both teams have been in solid touch of late with Munster winning their last three PRO14 fixtures and Connacht winning their last four.
Verdict: Munster 47/10
I think Munster have a far deeper squad than their opponents so I can see their fringe players delivering a solid showing here.
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Glasgow v Edinburgh
Saturday 27 April
Scoutstoun Stadium
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Glasgow 1/7
Draw 20/1
Edinburgh 26/10We close out the round with an all-Scottish affair with the all-ready qualified Glasgow Warriors taking on play-off hopefuls Edinburgh. The visitors lie a point behind Treviso on the Conference B standings and would need a bonus point win here to have any chance of advancing to the next phase should Treviso beat Zebre.
Verdict: Edinburgh 26/10
Glasgow are likely to rest a host of first stringers here so Edinburgh could well be in with a chance of victory. While I can see the visitors winning the game, I don’t think they’ll be able to claim a bonus point.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
