We take a look at the 5 URC fixtures taking place on Saturday and Sunday and suggest a bet in each game.
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BENETTON v STORMERS – Click here to bet
Benetton
Out of their first 3 URC matches of the season, Benetton have won 2 and drew 1. They started the URC season by narrowly beating Cardiff 22-23 in Wales, they then drew 13-13 to Munster at home and beat the Lions 15-10, also at home, last weekend.
Stormers
The Stormers have won 2 of their first 3 matches, narrowly beating the Lions 33-35 in Johannesburg, they then hammered the Scarlets 52-7 at home and lost 20-9 to the Glasgow Warriors in an away game last weekend.
Head-to-head
These teams last met in April in Cape Town where the Stormers beat Benetton relatively comfortably with a score of 38-22 after being tight at half time (12-10 to the Stormers).
Handicap: Benetton (+1.5)
Suggested Bet: Stormers by 1-7 at half time at 85/40
This should be a tight game and I am going to back the Stormers to be shading it at the break.
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OSPREYS v GLASGOW – Click here to bet
Ospreys
The Ospreys have won 2 of their first 3 matches and started off with a 34-26 loss against Connacht in Ireland. They then went on to beat Zebre 34-31 at home and the Sharks, 19-5, also at home, last weekend.
Glasgow
The Glasgow Warriors have also won 2 of their first 3 matches of the season. They started off by beating Leinster 43-25 at home, they then also lost (34-26) to Connacht in Ireland and beat the Stormers 20-9 at home last weekend.
Head-to-head
It is worth noting that both teams lost to Connacht by a similar margin this season, however, Ospreys had a slightly better scoreline.
These teams last met last October in Wales where Ospreys beat Glasgow 32-17.
Of these teams 3 most recent head-to-head games, Glasgow has won 2 of the 3.
Handicap: Ospreys (+3.5)
Suggested Bet: Ospreys win at 29/20
I was impressed with the Ospreys last week and they can beat a Glasgow team with a number of changes.
SCARLETS v LIONS – Click here to bet
Scarlets
The Scarlets have lost 2 of their first 3 matches of the season. The Bulls beat them 63-21 in Pretoria, and Stormers, 52-7 in Cape Town and they broke their losing streak by beating Cardiff 31-25 at home last weekend.
Lions
Lions have lost all their first matches of this URC season. They lost to the Stormers 35-33 at home, they then lost narrowly to Edinburgh (17-16) in an away game and lost to Benetton 15-10, also in an away game, last weekend.
Head-to-head
These teams last met last December in Johannesburg where the Lions beat the Scarlets 32-15.
Of the teams’ 2 most recent head-to-head matches, each team has won once.
Handicap: Scarlets (-8.5)
Suggested Bet: HT/FT Scarlets/ Lions at 13/1
The Lions have finished strongly in all 3 matches and hopefully this time they can get over the line.
EDINBURGH v CONNACHT – Click here to bet
Edinburgh
Edinburgh won 2 of their first 3 matches. They beat the Dragons 17-22 in Wales, then narrowly beat the Lions 17-16 at home and lost 36-27 to Leinster in Ireland last weekend.
Connacht
Connacht has won all 3 of their first matches of the URC season. They beat Ospreys and the Glasgow Warriors, both 34-26 at home. They then beat Ulster narrowly at home last weekend (22-20).
Head-to-head
These teams last met in March in Ireland where Connacht beat Edinburgh convincingly, 41-26.
Of the teams’ 3 most recent head-to-head matches, Edinburgh has won 2 of the 3.
Handicap: Edinburgh (-9.5)
Suggested Bet: Edinburgh -9.5 at 9/10
Edinburgh have picked a strong team and can win this going away.
DRAGONS v LEINSTER – Click here to bet
Dragons
Dragons lost all 3 of their first matches, 17-22 against Edinburgh at home, 9-16 against Cardiff, also at home, and 45-14 against Munster in an away game last weekend.
Leinster
Leinster have won 2 of their first 3 matches. They lost 43-25 to the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, they then beat the Sharks 34-14 at home and beat Edinburgh 36-27 at home last weekend.
Head-to-head
These teams last met in October in Wales where Leinster came from behind at half time (14-3 to the Dragons) to win the game 43-14.
Of these teams’ 3 most recent head-to-head matches, Edinburgh have won all 3.
Handicap: +19.5
Suggested Bet: Dragons +19.5 at 9/10
Leinster should win comfortably but the Dragons tend to give them issues and only lost this fixture 6-7 2 years back. This cap looks too high.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change