We take a look at 5 of the Investec Champions Cup matches taking place this Saturday including Stormers v La Rochelle and Lyon v Bulls.
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STORMERS v LA ROCHELLE – Click here to bet
After last weekend, the Stormers currently sit at 18/1 in the Champion’s League betting. They lost 35-26 to Leicester in an away game and they were unfortunate to come away without a bonus point with Leicester scoring after the hooter. The Stormers sent a 2nd string team to Leicester and the handicap started -18.5 Leicester.
La Rochelle sit at 5/1, making them 3rd favourites at the moment and despite a home loss on the opening weekend. They went down 9-16 to Leinster in a game played with a “final like” intensity.
Handicap: Stormers -4.5
A rested Stormers “A” team can break French spirits.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Stormers -4.5 at 9/10
BORDEAUX v BRISTOL – Click here to bet
Sitting at 17/1 in the outright betting is the Bordeaux Beagles. Last weekend, they smashed Connacht 41-5 in Ireland, a game where they started +4.5 with the bookmakers.
The Bristol Bears are underdogs at 150/1 and beat Lyon narrowly (36-34) at home last weekend. They started strongly but let Lyon back in and eventually required some late heroics to win the match.
Handicap: Bordeaux -16.5
This handicap looks well set and I will have a bet that Bordeaux hold a narrow lead heading into the sheds at halftime.
Suggested Bet: 1st Half Margin, Bordeaux by 1-7 points at 2/1
LYON v BULLS – Click here to bet
Lyon currently sit at 100/1 to win the tournament having lost narrowly to Bristol (36-34) in an away game last weekend. They looked dead and buried early but fought back to win only to have the points snatched from them in the end.
Sitting at 15/1 is the Blue Bulls. Last weekend, they beat the Saracens convincingly (27-16) at home although they will feel they should have put the game to bed earlier. The Bulls problems have historically come on their travels and if they can get the win here they will be considered one of the tournament favourites.
Handicap: Lyon -7.5
This has the makings of a tight game that could come down to the wire. I am going with the Tribet “any other result” which means the winning margin for either side cannot be more than 6 points.
Suggested Bet: Tribet “Any other result” at 17/10
LEINSTER v SALE – Click here to bet
Leinster are top of the betting boards at 2/1. Last weekend they beat La Rochelle 9-16 in an away game. The match was played in poor conditions and Leinster withstood long periods of pressure from the defending champions to grind out a win.
Sale sit at 40/1 to win the cup having beaten Stade Francais 28-5 at home last weekend. Travelling to Leinster will be a different proposition and the bookmakers are all but writing them off.
Handicap: Leinster -25.5
Leinster should win but Sale can beat the handicap
Suggested Bet: Sale +25.5 at 9/10
ULSTER v RACING 92 – Click here to bet
Sitting at 100/1 in the betting is Ulster who got well beaten 37-14 by Bath in an away match last week. Ulster had a fair amount of support in the betting markets but after a decent start they faded and their handicap backers were left with empty wallets.
Racing 92 sit at 18/1. Last weekend, they lost narrowly to Harlequins (28-31) at home a game where they started -8.5. They appeared to be in control of the game in the 2nd half when they went more than a sore clear but Quins fought back brilliantly to deny them.
Handicap: Ulster -1.5
This should be a tight game and a lot will depend on where Racing heads are after that home defeat. I think they will be up for this and can take the win.
Suggested Bet: Racing 92 win at 1/1
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
