We return for yet another week of South African derbies in the URC as the Lions host the Sharks followed by the Vodacom Bulls facing off against the Stormers. We analyse the games with a focus on the betting angle and make a few plays.
Leinster remain favourites to win the URC, and they sit at the top of the table, the bookies have them trading at 1.53. The Bulls are second favourites, trading at 6.50 while the Sharks are priced at 10.00. The Stormers are trading at 34.00 and the Lions are on offer at 66.00 to win the competition.
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Lions v Sharks – Click here to bet
The Lions are coming off the back of a 31-19 defeat to the Bulls away from home last weekend. This means they have won two of their last three matches with both of those wins coming at home. It must be said that the 12 point margin was harsh on the Lions who were done no favours by the officials.
The Sharks had last weekend off and played their most recent match the previous weekend, also against the Bulls. That match ended 19-29 in favour of the Sharks in Pretoria and it was an admiral effort considering they were dominated in set piece.
Head-to-head
The Lions have won the last two URC encounters between the two sides however, there where three Currie Cup fixtures since then where the Sharks won the most recent two. The last time the two sides met was in the Currie Cup final in Johannesburg last year where a last-minute penalty kick from the Sharks saw them win the match 14-16.
Betting and Verdict
The Lions are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.75 while the Sharks are trading at 2.35 for the win. The draw is currently at 23.00.
After a tough stretch in the Champions Cup, the Sharks have put together impressive back-to-back wins and look to continue this momentum as they head into the weekend.
This should be a tight game but I think the visitors can get a narrow win
Handicap: Lions [-2.5]
Suggested bet: Winning Margin, Sharks under 12.5 points at 3.20
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Vodacom Bulls v Stormers – Click here to bet
The Bulls are coming off the back of a 31-19 win against the Lions last weekend in Pretoria. They have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions and are building some really good momentum.
The Stormers have been on a very poor run of form, losing their last four matches in a row. The last time they won a match away from home was last year October where they beat Zebre 5-36 in Parma.
Head-to-head
The Bulls have won their last two matches against the Stormers while the Stormers have won the three before that. The last match between the two sides saw the Bulls steal a win by 1 point in Cape Town as the match ended 32-33.
Betting and Verdict
The Bulls are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.15 while the Stormers are trading at 7.00. The draw is currently trading at 34.00.
In four of the last five matches between the two sides, the highest winning margin has been only twelve points and I expect the home team to edge another nail biter with the Stormers beating the handicap.
Handicap: Bulls [-13.5]
Suggested bet: Handicap, Stormers [+13.5] at 1.85.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
