The final set of Pro14 fixtures before a two-week international break take place this coming weekend.
It will definitely be an intriguing week in the Pro14 with a host of international stars set to be missing due to national commitments. With the big guns stalwarts away a few of the minnows will certainly fancy their chances of pulling off a Round 8 upset.
Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors
Friday 2 November
Liberty Stadium
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Ospreys 14/10
Draw 18/1
Glasgow 13/20
Handicap
Ospreys (+2.5) 17/20
Glasgow (-2.5) 17/20
Two of the sides hardest hit by international call-ups will meet in the first of this weekend’s five all-European ties. Only four points separate the two sides on the Conference A standings with Glasgow top of the pops on 27 points and Ospreys lying in second.
The hosts head into the encounter off the back of a solid 22-17 victory over Irish province Connacht, while Glasgow make the trip having blown a comfortable lead to go down 25-24 to Munster.
Verdict: Ospreys 14/10
This should be a very evenly matched clash with both sides fielding second strength starting line-ups. My money is on the hosts winning it by no more than five points.
_________________________________________________
Edinburgh v Scarlets
Friday 2 November
BT Murrayfield
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh 7/10
Draw 18/1
Scarlets 12/10
Handicap
Edinburgh (-1.5) 17/20
Scarlets (+1.5) 17/20
Edinburgh will be looking to bounce back from an embarrassing 34-16 defeat to Zebre when they take on a Scarlets side who just managed to avoid slipping up against the Kings last weekend.
Both of these sides failed to put in 80-minutes shifts last week with the Scarlets leaving it late to beat the Kings 34-41 and Edinburgh blowing a substantial half-time lead out in Italy.
Both of these sides have been affected by international call-ups with Wales taking on Scotland this coming weekend.
Verdict: Edinburgh (-1.5) 17/20
I feel the Scarlets may well struggle having had to make a long-haul flight back from South Africa late last weekend. I can see Edinburgh taking full advantage of their opponents fatigue by registering a victory in excess of eight points.
_________________________________________________
Benetton Treviso v Ulster
Friday 2 November
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
22:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Treviso
Draw
Ulster
*odds to be added on release
High-flying Treviso will be looking to give Italian rugby some pride this weekend when they take on a second strength Ulster outfit. The hosts head into the encounter off the back of a 28 point defeat to reigning champions Ulster. The result has seen them drop to fifth on the Conference B standings.
Ulster enjoyed a far more profitable Round 7 as they beat the Dragons 36-18. It was their fourth win of the season and saw them retain third spot in Conference B.
Verdict: Treviso
I quite fancy the upset here. Ulster will be without a handful of their internationals and may well struggle against a Treviso side loaded with foreign talent.
_________________________________________________
Connacht v Newport Gwent Dragons
Saturday 3 October
Galway Sportsground
17:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht
Draw
Dragons
*odds to be added on release
Connacht will be looking to make the most of their Conference Top 3 rivals being without their international stars when they take on a struggling Dragons outfit this coming weekend.
The visitors head into Sunday’s clash off the back of their fifth defeat of the season, which was an 18-point loss to Ulster out in Ireland. Connacht enjoyed a more rewarding Round 8 as they managed to salvage a losing bonus point from their 22-17 away loss to the in-form Ospreys.
Verdict: Connacht
The Irish province should make short work of a Dragons side that has been dire on the road this term. My money is on the hosts taking it by nine points or more.
_________________________________________________
Cardiff Blues v Zebre
Sunday 4 November
Cardiff Arms Park
16:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Cardiff
Draw
Zebre
*odds to be added on release
The final game of the weekend will see the Cardiff Blues tackle an unpredictable Zebre outfit. The hosts head into this one off of a somewhat surprising 21-10 defeat to a struggling Cheetahs outfit in South Africa.
Zebre enjoyed a much better time of it in Round 8 as they notched up a historical 34-16 come-from-behind victory over Edinburgh. The result would have given them a massive shot in the arm headed into Sunday’s clash in Cardiff.
Verdict: Cardiff
Homeground advantage should be enough to see Cardiff to a win here. I would avoid the handicap here as both teams are capable of putting in a solid showing or producing a horrific effort.
