We take a look at the two URC fixtures taking place on Friday, the Glasgow Warriors vs the Stormers and the Ospreys vs the Sharks from a betting angle.
Leinster are the 4/7 favourites to win the URC with the Stormers now 5/1 2nd favourites – click here for the latest outright betting
GLASGOW WARRIORS VS STORMERS – Click here to bet
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors started this URC off by beating Leinster 43-25. They led 24-13 at half time and Leinster came back firing in the second half, coming within 4 points of Glasgow but Glasgow managed to pull clear for the win.
They then lost 34-26 to Connacht last weekend despite leading 19-14 at halftime. Connacht dominated the second half, keeping Glasgow quiet until the last ten minutes, But a late rally was not enough time for them to catch up.
Stormers
The Stormers narrowly beat the Lions 35-33 in their first match of this URC. Stormers dominated the first half, leading 27-7 at halftime but the Lions made an excellent comeback in the second half to come within 2 points.
Last weekend, they hammered the Scarlets 52-7. They led 31-7 at halftime and further increased their lead in the 2nd half with a dominant display.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in a URC match in January in Glasgow where the Glasgow Warriors beat the Stormers 24-17. The Stormers were leading 10-12 at half time but Glasgow kept fighting, levelled the score 17-17 with 15 minutes remaining and managed to score a converted try in the last minute of the game.
Of the teams 2 most recent head-to-head matches, each team has won one and the average total points per match is 40.
Handicap: Glasgow (-6.5)
Suggested Bet: Glasgow by 8-14 winning margin at 3/1
Glasgow have impressed me in the early rounds and they are starting to approach full strength. The Stormers won’t be easy to beat but I think the home team will win by more than a score.
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OSPREYS VS SHARKS – Click here to bet
Ospreys
The Ospreys started their first URC match of the season with a 34-26 loss against Connacht. Connacht dominated the first half (27-5) and although the Ospreys caught up tremendously in the second half, it was too little too late.
They then went on to beat Zebre last weekend. Zebre led by two points at halftime (17-19) but the Ospreys turned it around to beat them 34-31, with Zebre scoring the final try in the last minute of the match.
Sharks
The Sharks lost their first URC of the season to Munster (34-21). Munster had control of the first half (21-7) and the second half was relatively even and both teams managed to score a try within the final 2 minutes of the game!
Last weekend the Sharks also lost to Leinster (34-13). The halftime score was 12-6 to Leinster and they pulled clear of the Sharks in the second half.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides last met in December 2022 in a URC match in Durban, where the Sharks beat the Ospreys 25-10. The first half was relatively quiet, and the Sharks had to take advantage of their penalty kicks to put points on the board. They led 6-0 at halftime but the Ospreys came back within 1 point of the Sharks (11-10) with 15 minutes to play. The Sharks sealed their win by scoring 2 converted tries within the last 3 minutes.
Of the team’s 2 most recent head-to-head matches, the Sharks have won both and the average total points per match is 37.5.
Handicap: Ospreys (+10.5)
Suggested Bet: Under 49.5 points at 10/11
Ospreys games have been high-scoring but I expect this one to be tight and quite possibly scrappy.
*Prices correct at time of writing but subject to change
