It is Champions Cup Round of 16 weekend and we take a look at four of the matches, including Stormers vs La Rochelle and Bulls vs Lyon suggesting a bet in each of the games.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting for the European Champions Cup and here we see Leinster trading as 2/1 favourites ahead of Toulouse at 9/4, Bordeaux are 6/1, La Rochelle 7/1 and the Blue Bulls are the top South African side at 13/1. You can get 18/1 and better the balance and the Stormers are priced at 30/1.
Click here for the latest Outright Betting
SATURDAY
Blue Bulls v Lyon – Click here to bet
The Bulls last action in the Champions Cup was back in January when they beat the Bordeaux Bègles 46-40 at Loftus. They had also beaten the Bears on the road and lost to Lyon by a point in Lyon and seen off the Saracens by 11 points in Pretoria.
The Bulls were away to Leinster in the URC last week where they lost 47-14 after been right in the match at half-time.
Lyon’s last Champions Cup action was away to Saracens where they went down 39-24 and that means they have to travel in the Round of 16.
They have been very busy in the French Top 14 and beat Bordeaux 27-10 at home last weekend. They have been struggling on the road and have lost their last 4 matches in all competitions.
Handicap: Bulls -17.5
The Bulls will be smarting after that second-half performance against Leinster and I fancy them to come out firing and to put away a French team that battles on the road.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Bulls -17.5 at 19/20
Stormers v La Rochelle – Click here to bet
The Stormers last action in the European Champions Cup was away to Stade Français where thy won 24-20. They met La Rochelle at home in mid-December and a last minute kick from Manie Libbok sealed the 21-20 victory.
The Stormers are coming off a come-from-behind 13-7 win over Ulster, a week before that they beat Edinburgh 43-21, both games in the URC
La Rochelle beat the Sharks 37-24 on the road in their last Champions Cup start and prior to that they had beaten Leicester 45-12 at home. The loss to the Stormers proved critical though and it means they have to travel to Cape Town once again.
La Rochelle have won 3 of their last 4 games in the Top 14 and they are set to start narrow favourites in this game.
Handicap: Stormers +1.5
This game could be as close as the bookmakers are suggesting and I am going to have a speculative play that the Stormers lead at the break, but that this time La Rochelle grabs the late win.
Suggested Bet: Half-Time/Full-time Stormers/La Rochelle at 11/2
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Bordeaux v Saracens – Click here to bet
Bordeaux’s last action in the Champions Cup was a 46-40 defeat away to the Bulls, a game where they looked out of it, but came back strongly despite resting some star players.
They had been a bit hit and miss in the Top 14 of late and lost 27-10 away to Lyon on the weekend, but they have won their last 2 home games against Toulouse and Racing 92.
Saracens beat Lyon 39-24 to book their spot in the round of 16. They also played Bordeaux away in the League stages, going down 55-15, a performance that rocked the Saracens faithful. Saracens are coming off a 41-30 away loss to Northampton, but the week before that they had hammered Harlequins 52-7 at home.
Handicap: Bordeaux -8.5
Bordeaux will be a very difficult task at home, but the Saracens side appear to have turned the corner and I am forgiving last week’s defeat seeming they had one eye on this fixture. I am not sure if they can win it, but I do believe they can beat the cap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Saracens +8.5 at 17/20
SUNDAY
Northampton v Munster – Click here to bet
Northampton beat Saracens 41-30 last weekend and they have won their last 3 home games in all competitions. Their last Champions Cup outing was away to Munster where they won 26-3 and at home they hammered Bayonne and edged Toulon by 3 points.
Munster drew to Bayonne at home and after that it was always going to be hard work to make the playoffs, but they succeeded despite losing away to Exeter and at home to Northampton. The result that ultimately saw them through was a 29-18 away win over Toulon in France.
Last week Munster edged Cardiff 20-15 at home in the URC.
Handicap: Northampton -6.5
There is lots to like about Northampton win over Saracens and I feel that Munster has been on shaky ground in the last few matches.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Northampton -6.5 at 10/11
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
