There are two United Rugby Championship make-up games taking place this weekend and we take a look at the matches from a betting angle.
There has been little change to the United Rugby Championship Outright Betting markets where Leinster remain firm favourites at 5/10, Irish rivals Munster are priced at 15/2, the Stormers, the first of the South African sides, 8/1. You can get 9/1 Ulster and 11/1 about the Bulls and the Sharks.
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Sharks v Ulster – Click here to bet
The Sharks are coming off a much needed 29-7 away victory against the Lions last week. It moves them up to 7th on the table and in striking distance of the Bulls and Munster who sit just above them having played a game more than the Sharks.
The Sharks last home game came in early February when they went down 19-46 to the Stormers. Prior to that they had a hard fought 22-19 victory over Edinburgh on the road.
Ulster currently sit 3rd on the table, 6 points above the Sharks and both teams having played 13 matches. They have won 8 and lost 5 of the URC matches this season. Ulster were away at Glasgow last weekend where they lost a low scoring encounter 17-11 and prior to that they had hammered the Stormers 35-5 at home.
These sides met in the group stages of last season’s competition with Ulster hosting and edging a tight one 24-21.
This handicap looks well set and while I expect the Sharks to win I think that Ulster are going to hang in there. My preference is for a half-time bet on the Sharks to lead by 1-7 points at the break.
Handicap: Sharks -9.5
Suggested Bet: First-Half Winning Margin, Sharks by 1-7 inclusive at 18/10
Lion v Glasgow Warriors – Click here to bet
The Lions are currently 14th on the log without any hope of making the playoffs. They have won 5 and lost 8 of their URC matches. Last week were well beaten 29-7 by the Sharks in Johannesburg. Prior to that they were beaten by 19 points away at Connacht and by 30 points on the road at Munster.
The Glasgow Warriors are very much in playoff contention currently sitting 4th on the log with 9 wins and 4 losses in their 13 matches. They won what the bookmakers made a choice game against Ulster last weekend and prior to that had a convincing 42-28 win away to the Dragons and that was on the back of a 24-17 home win against the Stormers.
These sides met in Glasgow last season with the home team edging 13-9.
My money is on the playoff hunting Glasgow Warriors to get a win against a Lions side that seems to be down on confidence and short of ideas.
Handicap: Lions +1.5
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Glasgow Warriors -1.5 at 9/10
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
