Darry Worthington takes a look at the seven Round 4 PRO14 games which get underway on Friday the 19th of October.
The Rugby action comes thick and fast this weekend with the World Cup quarter-finals, the kick-off of the Gallagher Premiership and Round 4 of the PRO14 season.
This week will see the high-flying Cheetahs start their overseas tour with a clash against a classy Connacht side. This game is undoubtedly the pick of the action with both teams likely to employ an attacking gameplan.
Ulster v Cardiff Blues
Friday 18 October
Kingspan Stadium
20:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Ulster
Draw
Cardiff
Ulster will be looking to build on their massive 17-42 victory over the Kings when they take on a Cardiff side that went down 17-13 to the Glasgow Warriors last weekend.
The hosts have enjoyed a solid start to their campaign beating the Ospreys 34-18 in Round 1. Their only defeat thus far was their Round two 63-26 loss to the Cheetahs.
Cardiff have had a tougher time of it and only have one victory to their names; an unconvincing 27-31 win over the Kings.
Verdict: Ulster
I can see the hosts winning this one by more than 14 points.
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Munster v Ospreys
Friday 18 October
Irish Independent Park
20:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Munster
Draw
Ospreys
The Irish-Welsh rivalry continues on Friday with Munster taking on the Ospreys. The hosts tasted their first defeat of the campaign last Friday evening going down 40-16 to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Ospreys have endured a far tougher start to their campaign losing to Ulster and Leinster before scraping a four-point home victory over an out of sorts Treviso side last weekend.
Verdict: Munster
Munster will have far too much firepower for the visitors. My money is on the hosts taking this one by more than 15 points.
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Treviso v Kings
Satuirday 19 October
Stradio Communale Domingo
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Treviso
Draw
Kings
The Kings will be looking to get their tour of Europe off to a winning start when they take on Treviso in Saturday’s opener.
Both sides have failed to register a victory this term with Treviso picking up two losing bonus points and the Kings just one.
In terms of last weekend’s results, the visitors went down by 25 points to Ulster while Treviso lost by just four-points to the Ospreys in Wales.
Verdict: Treviso
The Kings are notoriously poor travellers. I think they will suffer a defeat in excess of 18 points here.
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Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 19 October
Rodney Parade
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Dragons
Draw
Glasgow
The Dragons will be looking for their second win of the season when they take on a Glasgow side who have also just won one of their opening three games.
The two sides head into this one off the back of contrasting results with the Warriors beating the Cardiff Blues 17-14 and the Dragons going down 14-38 to Connacht at Rodney Parade.
Verdict: Glasgow
I have not been impressed by the Dragons. They have no real game plan and I think they will suffer yet another home defeat,.
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Connacht v Cheetahs
Saturday 19 October
The Sportsground
18:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht
Draw
Cheetahs
The high-flying Free State Cheetahs will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run when they begin their tour with a clash against an in-form Connacht side.
The have gotten their campaign off to a flyer beating the Glasgow Warriors, Ulster and Munster by massive margins. They will be hoping they can translate their magnificent home form into a solid away run.
Connacht have also enjoyed a decent start to the campaign winning two of their opening three fixtures with the victories coming over the Dragons and Treviso.
Verdict: Cheetahs
This should be a great game with both teams likely to take an attacking approach to the fixture. My money is on the hosts coming out on top in a high-scoring affair.
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Zebre v Leinster
Saturday 19 October
18:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Zebre
Draw
Leinster
Zebre will be looking to avoid an embarrassing defeat when they take on a Leinster side who head into this fixture undefeated.
The hosts have lost their opening three games and head into this one off the back of a 54-10 defeat to the Scarlets.
Leinster had a far better time of it in the last round as they registered a 40-14 victory over a competent Edinburgh side.
Verdict: Leinster
I think Zebre are in for a long old night here. They are conceding a lot of points and Leinster are a free-scoring team. My moneys is on the visitors taking it by more than 20 points.
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Edinburgh v Scarlets
Saturday 19 October
Murrayfield
20:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh
Draw
Scarlets
We close out round four with a clash between Scottish outfit Edinburgh and Welsh side Scarlets.
The hosts have enjoyed a great start to their campaign and head into this one off the back of three wins, with the latest being a 54-10 victory over Zebre. Edinburgh have also been solid during the opening salvos of the season and have won two of their first three fixtures. They head into this one off the back of their first loss which was a 26 point defeat to Leinster.
Verdict: Edinburgh
While the Scarlets are in great form I can see them struggling against a Edinburgh side that is great at home.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
