Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship is here, and all four South African sides are in action this weekend. It follows a weekend of European rugby, with the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers all winning and the Lions losing. The Sharks travel to face Cardiff, the Lions travel to Edinburgh, the Bulls take on Ulster and the Stormers face the Scarlets.
With the Bulls and Stormers heavy favourites, the Sharks and Cardiff separated by very little in the market, and Edinburgh looking to continue their perfect URC start, there are some interesting betting opportunities this week, and we have a suggested bet for each of the four matches. Here is our full round 4 betting preview.
FRIDAY
Cardiff v Sharks — Click here to bet
Cardiff come into this week off the back of a loss in the Champions Cup against Northampton Saints. They played away from home and lost 28-12. Their first three URC games of the season saw two wins, against the Scarlets and Zebre, as well as a 29-5 loss away to Leinster.
The Sharks have had a solid start to their season, winning two of their first three URC games, 41-24 against the Ospreys and 26-20 against Leinster, both at home, with one loss against the Stormers away from home. They played Lyon last weekend in the Challenge Cup, winning the match 40-33 away from home.
Head-to-Head
The Sharks have won the last two against Cardiff, 21-15 at home and 42-22 away from home, while Cardiff had won the three prior to that.
Betting and Verdict
Cardiff are trading at 2.15, with the Sharks at 1.83 for the win with the draw priced at 23.00.
The handicap is Cardiff +1.5.
Although Cardiff are coming off the back of two losses, both were away from home. Their first two games of the season played in Wales saw them win both, and and I think we will see a Cardiff win this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Cardiff to win at 2.15.
Edinburgh v Lions — Click here to bet
Edinburgh had the perfect start to their URC season, winning three from three, 34-29 against Ulster away, 17-13 against the Stormers at home and 29-12 against Zebre away. They did, however, fall short at home against Toulon last weekend, losing the match 17-27.
The Lions started their URC season strongly, winning against the Ospreys and Leinster at home, but then lost their next two, 57-15 against the Bulls away and 31-14 against Stade Rochelais in the Champions Cup.
Head-to-Head
The Lions lead the head-to-head 3-2, with two wins at home and one away. Both of Edinburgh’s wins came at home, 24-12 and 17-16.
Betting and Verdict
Edinburgh are favourites to win, trading at 1.38, while the bookies have the Lions at 3.50 with the draw priced at 26.00.
The handicap is Edinburgh -7.5.
Edinburgh have had the perfect form so far in the URC and will look to continue that against a Lions side coming off back-to-back losses. They have beaten the Lions twice at home, and with how strong they look already this season, I think they will cover the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Edinburgh [-7.5] at 1.95.
Rugby Handicap & Total Points Refund
Lose your qualifying rugby handicap or total-points bet by just half a point and World Sports Betting will refund your stake in World Coins, up to a maximum of R5,000.
The promotion applies to pre-match single bets placed on rugby union and rugby league handicap and total-points markets, including first-half handicaps and first-half total points. Live bets and free bets do not qualify.
To claim your refund, email promotions@wsb.co.za with the subject line “Rugby Refund” within 24 hours of the match finishing.
Only one qualifying refund is permitted per account. Accounts must be verified and in good standing. Full terms and conditions apply.
SATURDAY
Bulls v Ulster — Click here to bet
The Bulls are coming into the game off the back of two solid wins at home. The first was against the Lions, 57-15 in the URC, and the second was 56-20 against Stade Français in the Champions Cup.
Ulster, on the other hand, have had a difficult start. They have played four games, winning one against Zebre, 40-21 away, drawing two against Munster and Glasgow, and losing the other against Edinburgh.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head has been a tale of the home team. Ulster have won three of the last five, all of which were at home, while the Bulls won the other two, which were also at home. The two Bulls wins saw scores of 47-21 and 34-16.
Betting and Verdict
The Bulls are trading at 1.08 for the win, while Ulster are at 9.50, the draw is priced at 41.00.
The handicap is Bulls -17.5.
The Bulls have been brilliant at home, while Ulster have struggled in this first part of the season. I think the Bulls should cover the handicap in what will likely be a high scoring game.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls [-17.5] at 1.87.
Stormers v Scarlets — Click here to bet
The Stormers have won three of their first four games this season, with the only loss coming against Edinburgh away from home. They hosted Bristol Bears last weekend in the Champions Cup, winning the match 49-12.
The Scarlets are coming off the back of back-to-back wins, beating the Newcastle Red Bulls 47-14 at home last weekend in the Challenge Cup and Benetton 27-26 at home the previous week.
Head-to-Head
The Stormers have dominated against the Scarlets in recent times, winning all of the last five matches. The last time the sides met in Cape Town, the Stormers won 52-7.
Betting and Verdict
The Stormers are favourites to win, trading at 1.05, while the bookies have the Scarlets at 13.00 with the draw trading at 51.00.
The handicap is Stormers -21.5 at 1.95.
The Stormers handicap of -21.5 is the call here. They have won all of their last five against the Scarlets, including a 52-7 win the last time the sides met in Cape Town, and they come into the game off a 49-12 win over Bristol Bears. The Scarlets, meanwhile, scraped a one-point win over Benetton two weeks ago and they look vulnerable on the road and a runaway home win looks on the cards.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers [-21.5] at 1.95.
Click here for betting on all the weekend’s URC matches
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
T&Cs apply. 18+. Gamble responsibly. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
