We head into Round 4 of the Champions Cup this weekend. The Vodacom Bulls will travel away to play Section Paloise, the Sharks will host Clermont followed by the Stormers hosting the Leicester Tigers. We will take a look at all three matches from a betting angle and offer up some plays for your consideration.
Friday
Section Paloise v Vodacom Bulls – Click here to bet
Section Paloise have won three of their last five matches in all competitions but more importantly, they have won four of their last five matches at home with the only defeat coming against the Northampton Saints. Their match last week saw them beat the Scarlets 38-47 away from home.
The Bulls continued their very poor run of form last weekend as they lost their seventh match in a row when the Bristol Bears beat them 49-61 in Pretoria.
Section Paloise sit 4th in Pool 4 and a win here seals an away round of 16 outing. The Bulls likely have to win to book a Challenge Cup spot but could still progress to the round of 16 with a victory.
Head-to-Head
The two sides will meet for the first time, this weekend.
Betting
Section Paloise are favourites to win the match and are trading at 1.23 for the win while the bulls are trading at 4.75. The draw is currently at 31.00.
Handicap: Section Paloise -12.5
Verdict
Last weekend saw the Bulls cut open by the Bristol Bears at home and now they have to head to France to play a side that has won four of their last five matches at home. I don’t see this being the fixture where the Bulls turn things around and so I think we will see a strong win from Section Paloise.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Section Paloise [-12.5] at 1.95
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Saturday
Sharks v Clermont – Click here to bet
The Sharks are heading into this weekend coming off the back of two losses in a row. They lost 22-23 to the Lions at home two weeks ago in the United Rugby Championship and followed that up with a European Rugby Champions Cup 26-10 loss to the Sale Sharks last weekend.
Clermont are also heading into this match coming off the back of a loss after the Glasgow Warriors beat them 21-33 last weekend.
The Sharks can still qualify if they win and either Toulouse or Saracens lose.
Head-to-Head
The two sides met back in 2024 where the Sharks won the extremely tight match 32-31 in Durban.
Betting
The Sharks are heavy favourites to win this weekend and are trading at 1.01 for the win while Clermont are trading at 23.00. the draw is currently at 76.00.
Handicap: Sharks -27.5
Verdict
Although I think the Sharks should be able to win this weekend, in their last five matches their highest winning margin was only nine points against a struggling Bulls side. The last time the two sides met in Durban, only one point separated them come the end of the game and so I think Clermont will make it a lot closer than what the bookies are expecting.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Clermont [+27.5] at 1.95
Stormers v Leicester Tigers – Click here to bet
After a brilliant start to the season winning their first ten matches in a row, the Stormers suffered their first defeat last weekend as they got battered 61-10 away from home against Harlequins.
They are 3rd in Pool 3 but can still get a home round of 16 match if they win and Harlequins lose to La Rochelle.
The Leicester Tigers on the other hand are coming into this weekend’s match off the back of two wins in a row, beating Saracens 36-28 in the Premiership Cup, and following that up with a 57-14 home win against Aviron Bayonnais last weekend in a European Champions Cup match.
They can overtake the Stormers with a win here but are most likely going to play in the Challenge Cup.
Head-to-Head
The two sides played each other in the Champions Cup back in 2023 where Leicester won the match 35-26 at home. That was the only time the two sides have played each other.
Betting
The Stormers are favourites heading into his weekends match, trading at 1.05 while the bookies have Leicester at 13.00. The draw is currently at 51.00.
Handicap: Stormers -18.5
Verdict
The Stormers should win this but they have not been convincing of late and I think Leicester can stay within the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Leicester Tigers [+18.5] at 1.91
Click here for betting on all the weekends Investec Champions Cup matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
