The Stormers are still flying the South African flag in the United Rugby Championship and we take a look at both semi-finals from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the latest Outright Betting where Leinster continue to shorten as favourites and are now priced at 4/10. The Stormers are 29/10, you can get 9/1 Munster and 25/1 Connacht.
Click here for the latest URC Outright Betting
Stormers v Connacht – Click here to bet
The Stormers finished 3rd on the table and that was enough to book them a home quarter-final against the Bulls last week. Bookmakers priced the Stormers as 6 point favourites and those who backed the home team on the handicap were never really in doubt as they ran out 33-21 victors. The Stormers had ended their regular season’s campaign at home against Benetton when they had won 38-22.
Connacht finished 7th on the log when they lost their final match of the season 29-27 away to the Glasgow Warriors. That meant they were away to Ulster in the quarter-finals and they started 10 point underdogs against Ulster who had finished 2nd on the table. It was a tense, tight and low scoring affair, but Connacht had started well and held on for a 15-10 victory, a result which booked them a trip to Cape Town.
The Stormers hosted Connacht in Week 2 of the URC winning 38-15.
Handicap: Stormers -14.5
I was impressed by Connacht last week and although the Stormers should certainly be favourites for this game I am not convinced that they are going to win a semi-final by 15 points or more.
Suggested bet: Connacht +14.5 at 17/20
Money Back if you’re leading after 70 minutes and lose
Place a double on this week’s URC Semi Finals and if either of your selections lose after leading at the 70 minute mark, we will refund your stake in Free Bet vouchers
*Pre-Match events only. T’s & C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R2000.
Valid for bets taken on the games on 13th May
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Leinster v Munster – Click here to bet
Leinster’s incredibly tough run of matches continues having booked their spot after booking their spot in the Heineken Champions Cup final with a win over Toulouse and then convincingly beating the Sharks last week in the URC quarter-finals. If they win this semi-final they will have successive finals in the Heineken Champions Cup and the URC.
Leinster weathered some early Sharks pressure to run out comfortable 35-5 winners in last week’s quarter-final in a game where they started 18.5 favourites. Leinster had topped the table with just 1 defeat all season and that came in their final game against the Bulls away where they fielded a very diluted side.
Munster finished 5th on the log and their final regular season match was a 22-22 draw away at the Sharks. Their quarter-final clash was the Glasgow Warriors on the road and their defence held firm for the first 20 minutes before they took a lead they would never relinquish. In the end it was a low scoring 14-5 win for Munster, but it did come at a very heavy toll as far as injuries are concerned.
Leinster hosted Munster in Week 6 of the URC winning 27-13 and in the return leg at Munster it was Leinster who edged it 20-19.
Handicap: Leinster -15.5
Leinster are generally fast starters and I am expecting more of the same this weekend against a Munster side that I think will just be trying to hang in until half-time. I am backing them to score 17 or more points in the first half.
Suggested Bet: First-Half, Leinster Totals over 16.5 at 9/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
