There are 4 United Rugby Championship matches taking place this weekend and all of them involve South African teams. We take a look at them from a betting angle.
FRIDAY
ZEBRE v BULLS
Zebre have been very disappointing this season losing all 7 of their games and they really have looked outclassed in a number of their fixtures. They have met South African opposition back in Round 1 where they lost 38-26 to the Lions.
The Bulls are coming off a defeat to the Sharks at Loftus, a game where they lost Morne Steyn early to a red card. The Sharks have now done the double over the Bulls and the Bulls also lost to the Stormers at home, but beat the Lions home and away.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Zebre 11/1
Draw 50/1
Bulls 1/16
Handicap: Zebre (+18.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls (-18.5) at 10/11
The Bulls have named a strong side and although they have been disappointing they are playing against a side that battles to score tries and they should be far too strong for the Italians.
LEINSTER v LIONS
Leinster are missing 19 players to the Irish Six Nations squad, but they still managed to put out a decent side, but last week they beat Ospreys 29-7 at home which was just enough to beat the handicap.
The Lions have had 4 straight defeats including losing to the Stormers 32-10 at home two weeks ago and in their only match against Irish opposition this season they lost 26-10 to Ulster on the road.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Leinster 1/50
Draw 70/1
Lions 17/1
Handicap: Leinster (-23.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Leinster (-23.5) at 9/10
This is a big handicap, but the way the Lions have been playing I can’t see them stopping a Leinster team that has plenty of depth.
SATURDAY
CONNACHT v STORMERS
Connacht were impressive last week when they beat the Scarlets 29-23 on the road. They were well backed that day and now return home where they hammered the Bulls by 27 points back in Round 2.
They face a Stormers side that currently tops the South African Shield standings after a successful campaign in South Africa where they bounced back from an early derby defeat to the Lions to win 3 and draw 1 of their next 4.
The Stormers met Irish opposition on the road earlier in the tournament where they went down 34-18 to Munster.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Connacht 8/15
Draw 22/1
Stormers 18/10
Handicap: Connacht (-4.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers (+4.5) at 17/20
Money has come for a Stormers side which I can believe can take advantage of the fact that Connacht are missing a few players to International duty.
BENETTON v SHARKS
Benetton will have fond memories of South African sides as they beat the Stormers 22-18 at home earlier in the season. Benetton’s most recent action was against the Warriors in Glasgow where they were beaten 13-3 in very tough conditions.
The Sharks for me have been a disappointment and although they did beat the Bulls last time out they probably had the Bulls red card to thank for that. The Sharks were a mixed bag against South African opposition, comfortably beating the Lions in Jo’burg and the Bulls in Durban, but going down to the Stormers in Cape Town and drawing against the Stormers at home.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Benetton 7/2
Draw 25/1
Sharks 2/7
Handicap: Benetton (+8.5)
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Sharks (-8.5) at 17/20
Benetton are weakened by players in the Italian Six Nations squad and I think the Sharks can take advantage and put them away.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
