Round 1 of the European Rugby Champions Cup kicks off this weekend with a number of fixtures being played and we focus in on the matches featuring South African teams.
The Sharks host the Exeter Chiefs while the Stormers host Toulon followed by the Bulls travelling to take on the Saracens.
Toulouse are the 2.80 favourites to win the Champions Cup with Leinster 3.60. The Bulls are 16.00, the Sharks 41.00 and the Stormers are 67.00.
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Sharks v Exeter – Click here to bet
After winning the Challenge Cup last year, the Sharks will take their place in the prestigious Champions Cup this year. They have hit a decent run of form in the URC, winning their last three matches all at home. Their most recent match was against the Stormers where they won 21-15.
Exeter have won three of their last five matches with all three wins coming in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the two losses coming in the Premiership League. Their last result was a 19-15 loss to Bath two weeks ago.
Head-to-Head
With the South African sides only recently being included in the Champions Cup, the two sides are yet to face each other.
Betting and Verdict
The Sharks are favorites to win and are trading at 1.11 while Exter are trading at 9.00 and the draw is 41.00.
Exeter have had a very poor start to their season, losing all seven of their league matches and my thinking is that their focus will be on domestic recovery.
The Sharks on the other hand have been putting in some good results against some of the strongest sides in the URC and should be able to take advantage of the home fixture.
Handicap: Sharks [-15.5]
BET: Handicap, Sharks [-15.5] at 1.95.
Stormers v RC Toulonnais – Click here to bet
The Stormers have not been on the strongest run of form, only winning two of their last five matches in the URC. They played the Sharks last weekend away from home and lost 21-15 having had a last minute try disallowed.
Toulon, however, have won four of their last five matches in the Top 14 with their most recent result being a 13-22 win away from home over USA Perpignan. They have bought a strong if not quite full strength squad over.
Head-to-Head
The two sides are yet to meet in any competition but should produce a very exciting game of rugby.
Betting and Verdict
The home side, the Stormers, are favorites to win the match and are trading at 1.50 while Toulon are trading at 2.95 and the draw is 26.00.
The Stormers recent run of form suggests that they have a big task ahead of them this weekend against Toulon and my money is on the French team being up for this one and grabbing an away win.
Handicap: Toulon [+4.5]
BET: Toulon to win at 2.95.
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Saracens v Blue Bulls – Click here to bet
Saracens have won four of their last five matches at home with their only defeat coming against the Leicester Tigers with the match ending 29-32. They played the Newcastle Falcons last weekend away from home and lost the match 17-12, a massive upset but perhaps one eye was on this fixture.
The Bulls have won four of their last five matches including two wins away from home in succession in the URC. They played Connacht in Galway last weekend and won the match 14-28.
Head-to-Head
The Bulls hosted Saracens this time last year in the Champions Cup and came out on top winning the match 27-16 at home.
Betting and Verdict
Saracens are favorites to win the match and are trading at 1.55 while the Bulls are trading at 2.80 and the draw is 23.00.
The Bulls have been on a very strong run of form recently and have shown they know how to win away from home. They also have the confidence after beating Saracens last year and I think the can push Saracens close here and grab the win.
Handicap: Bulls [+4.5]
BET: Blue Bulls to win at 2.80.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
