Category: Rugby

Aviva Premiership – Saturday 9th May – Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

In the penultimate week of fixtures in the regular Aviva Premiership season, there’s some tasty clashes as the likes of Wasps and Tigers tussle for semi-final spots.

Sharks v Falcons – 14:00 (BST)

A bonus point win is top of the agenda for the seventh-place Sharks as they face the lowly Falcons at the AJ Bell Stadium.

If the Sharks are to have any chance of catching Wasps – who are eight points clear of them in the final Champions Cup qualification position – they need a thumping win over the Newcastle Falcons in what will all-time record Aviva Premiership point scorer Mark Cueto’s last appearance at the AJ Bell.

Sharks will fancy their chances too against a Falcons side has lost its last six league outings and hasn’t won an away Premiership fixture since October 2013.

Best Bet: Sharks -10 Handicap – Evens at Boylesports

Sharks Line-Up: Arscott, Brady, Leota, Tuitupou, Cueto, Cipriani, Cusiter, Lewis-Roberts, Taylor, Cobilas, Mills, Hines, Braid, Seymour, Beaumont.

Falcons Line-Up: Hammersley, Tait, Powell, Socino, Sinoti, Clegg, Tipuna, Vickers, Lawson, Brookes, Green, Thompson, Wilson, Welch, Hogg.

Gloucester v Irish – 15:00 (BST)

Ninth faces 10th at Kingsholm, in what is largely a dead rubber tie with Gloucester having already sealed a play-off place for Europe’s elite competition having beaten Edinburgh in the European Rugby Challenge Final last Friday.

Irish are struggling on the road, with only one away win since September, and you can expect Gloucester to prevail again here.

Best Bet: Gloucester Half-Time/Full-Time – 4/5 at Coral

Gloucester Line-Up: Sharples, May, Macken, Twelvetrees, Purdy, Burns, Laidlaw, G. Thomas, Hibbard, Puafisi, Savage, Galarza, D. Thomas, Kvesic, Evans

Irish Line-Up: Fenby, Lewington, Griffin, Geraghty, Short, Noakes, O’Leary, Court, Paice, Palframan, Skivington, Sinclair, Narraway, Cowan, Guest.

Saints v Welsh – 15:00 (BST)

Top of the table Saints meet bottom club London Welsh at Franklin’s Garden, in what will surely be a one-sided affair.

A likely win for the Saints would secure them a home play-off semi-final for a second consecutive year. It’s been a miserable season for the long-since relegated Welsh, who have secured just one losing bonus point all season.

Best Bet: Saints -46 Handicap – 13/10 at BetVictor

Saints Line-Up: Tuala, K. Pisi, G. Pisi, Burrell, Elliott, Myler, Dickson, Waller, Hartley, Denman, Lawes, Day, Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Welsh Line-Up: Jewell, Awcock, Reynolds, May, Elder, Barkley, Rowley, Trevett, Britton, Cooper, West, Corker, Browne, Waters, Fonua.

Wasps v Tigers – 15:15 (BST)

In the biggest match of the day, Wasps welcome Leicester Tigers to a sold-out Ricoh Arena with a semi-final place still very much up for grabs.

Tigers currently hold the last semi-final place, however a Wasps win won see them leapfrog their opponents with just one match remaining.

Best Bet: Wasps Half-Time/Full-Time – 11/10 at Ladbrokes

Wasps Line-Up:  Masi, Wade, Daly, Leiua, Tagicakibau, Goode, Simpson, Mullan, Festuccia, Cittadini, Gaskell, Myall, Johnson, Haskell, Hughes.

Tigers Line-Up: Morris, Thompstone, Tait, Bai, Goneva, Burns, B. Youngs, Mulipola, T. Youngs, D. Cole, B. Thorn, Kitchener, Parling, Salvi, Crane.

Aviva Premiership – Harlequins v Bath – Preview

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Eighth-place Harlequins welcome second-place Bath to The Twickenham Stoop tonight (19:45 BST) with plenty on the line as the season heads to a conclusion.

Indeed, if Bath beat Harlequins, they will confirm their first semi-final appearance in five seasons. However, although Harlequins hopes of a top four spot have already been ended, a defeat for them here would also end their slim hopes of catching the Wasps (who are nine point in front) in order to qualify for next season’s Champions Cup.

Mike Ford’s Bath, are clear favourites coming into this tie having won their last four consecutive league matches, while beating Harlequins twice already this season: with a 25-6 win in the reverse fixture at the Recreation Ground in November, and a slender 23-21 victory in the LV= Cup in January.

That said, Harlequins have hit some form of late, winning three of their last four league fixtures, and did earn a narrow 19-16 victory in this fixture last season.

Best Bet: Harlequins +5 Handicap – Evens at SkyBet

Team News

David Wilson returns for Bath tonight, after recovering from a nasty neck injury that ruled him out of the Six Nations for England. David Attwood and Dominic Day will also line-up together for the first time since January. Elsewhere, Horacio Agulla will be on the right win and Anthony Watson will feature at full-back.

It will be a farewell appearance for Ugo Monye and George Robson for Harlequins, as they make their final appearance for the club.

Harlequins: 15 Ollie Lindsay-Hague, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 George Lowe, 12 Harry Sloan, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care; 1 Mark Lambert, 2 Dave Ward, 3 Matt Shields, 4 Nick Easter, 5 George Robson, 6 Luke Wallace, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 8 Jack Clifford.

Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Seb Adeniran-Olule, 18 Darryl Marfo, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Netani Talei, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Charlie Walker.

Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Peter Stringer; 1 Paul James, 2 Ross Batty, 3 David Wilson, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Sam Burgess, 7 Francois Louw (c), 8 Leroy Houston.

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Carl Fearns, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Tom Homer.

Clermont v Toulon – European Rugby Champions Cup Final Preview

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Clermont and Toulon compete for a place in history, as the French pair battle it out to become the first ever winners of the European Rugby Champions Cup at Twickenham at 5pm (BST) on Saturday.

The tournament replaced the Heineken Cup for the 2014/15 season and has proved to be an entertaining competition thus far, but can a showpiece final crown a positive debut season?

Toulon won the final two editions of the Heineken Cup, including an excruciatingly close 16-15 victory over Clermont in the 2013 final at Lansdowne Road. If Toulon do succeed in beating Clermont once again, they will become the first side in history to claim three consecutive European titles. They are marginal favourites to do so, priced at 10/11 at Stan James to win. It’s sure to be another tight affair though between two of Top 14’s leading teams though.

Clermont proved their credentials with an emphatic 37-5 victory over Northampton Saints in the quarter-finals before beating Saracens in the semis. However, despite boasting the highest tacking success rate in Europe this season (89 per cent) and having conceded just 20 points in their last three continental outings, their league form of late has been poor to say the least, losing their last three Top 14 outings.

Clermont’s poor run of form in the league has left Toulon four points clear at the top of the table. However, it is Toulon’s European form that has been most impressive this season, a competition in which they have won each their last eight fixtures – a new record.

Toulon have also had the best of their recent head-to-head encounters, winning three of the last four, while Clermont haven’t beaten Toulon away from their Stade Marcel Michelin home since 2011.

Team News

Despite no British team reaching the final, there will still be two English and two Welsh representatives starting the game. Steffon Armitage and Leigh Halfpenny will line-up for Toulon – who also have Jonny Wilkinson now amongst their coaching ranks – while Nick Abendanon and Jonathan Davies start for Clermont.

Clermont Auvergne: N Abendanon; N Nakaitaci, J Davies, W Fofana, N Nalaga; B James, M Parra; V Debaty, B Kayser, D Zirakashvili, J Cudmore, S Vahaamahina, J Bonnaire, D Chouly (capt), F Lee.

Replacements: J Ulugia, T Domingo, C Ric, J Pierre, J Bardy, L Radoslavjevic, C Lopez, A Rougerie.

Toulon: L Halfpenny; D Mitchell, M Bastareaud, J M Hernandez, B Habana; M Giteau, S Tillous-Borde; X Chiocci, G Guirado, C Hayman (capt), B Botha, A Williams, J Smith, S Armitage, C Masoe.

Replacements: J-C Orioli, A Menini, L Chilachava, J M Fernandez Lobbe, V Bruni, R Wulf, F Michalak, R Taofifenua.

Best Bet

Toulon to win (-7 handicap) – 9/4 at Ladbrokes

Aviva Premiership Weekend Preview – 24-26 April

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The pressure is piling up with just three rounds of fixtures remaining ahead of the play-offs in the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season, as the battle for a spot in the top four still continues.

There are some interesting clashes this weekend, including first v second as the Saints face Saracens at stadium:mk on Saturday, while there’s a key play-off crunch match at Twickenham on Sunday as the Wasps take on Exeter Chiefs.

Bath v London Irish – Friday 19:45 (GMT)

In the weekend’s opening fixture, Bath welcome back Kyle Eastmond, James Webber and Paul James to their starting line-up as they face London Irish.

Bath have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning nine of the last 10 meetings between the sides. Another win here for the Somerset side would all-but assure them of their play-off position.

Although struggling in 10th-place, London Irish don’t tend to get beaten heavily often, meaning a handicap bet on them could provide some good value.

Best Bet: London Irish to win with +15 handicap – 6/4 at BetVictor

Sale Sharks v Harlequins – Saturday 14:00 (GMT)

Seventh meets eighth at The Recreation Ground, with the play-offs pretty much out of reach for the pair. However, the Sharks still have an outside chance of securing a Champions Cup place if they can end the season on a high.

The Sharks edged out the Harlequins when the pair last met in November by a narrow 16-12 scorline.

Verdict: Sharks win

Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons – Saturday 15:00 (GMT)

Neither side has much left to play for this campaign other than pride, with Gloucester in ninth and the Falcons languishing one place above bottom spot.

Newcastle Falcons have recorded just four victories this seasons – one of which was a 20-10 victory over Gloucester, but you’d expect Gloucester to get revenge here.

Verdict: Gloucester win

Leicester Tigers v London Welsh – Saturday 15:00 (GMT)

Leicester’s five-game winning streak in the Premiership was ended last time out by the Saracens, but they should have little bother getting back to winning ways against the Welsh who have picked up just one point this season.

Verdict: Leicester win

Northampton Saints v Saracens – Saturday 15:15 (GMT)

A record crowd is expected at stadium:mk as the top two go head-to-head in this crucial encounter.

Saracens suffered semi-final heartbreak in the European Rugby Champions Cup last weekend, being narrowly beaten 13-9 by Clermont – who incidentally also disposed of the Saints in the previous round.

Saints boast a relatively comfortable six-point lead at the table summit at the moment, meaning Saracens will have to beat them – as they did in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in March – if they want to be in with a chance of ending the regular season in top spot.

Verdict: Saints win

Wasps v Exeter Chiefs – Sunday 14:00 (GMT)

The weekend’s action concludes with an intriguing play-off crunch match between the Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham on Sunday.

The fourth-place Chiefs are currently three points clear of Leicester Tigers in fifth – who will surely beat the Welsh – and five points clear of their opponents. A win for the Wasps, therefore, could really blow the chase for the play-offs wide open, while a win for Exeter would effectively end Wasps’ hopes.

Verdict: Wasps win

Super 15 Rugby Round Eleven Preview

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Super 15 Rugby Round Eleven Preview

Round Eleven is the ANZAC day round. For Australian and New Zealand teams it’s a time for remembrance and tribute for all those men and woman who gave their lives in world war back in 1914/15. The weekend has some exciting fixtures so check out all the odds and our predictions.

 

Waikato Chiefs v Western Force

Chiefs – $1.08

Force – $7.00

The Chiefs open the ANZAC day round by hosting the Force at Waikato Stadium. For the Chiefs they’ll be looking to make it four wins in a row however a season ending injury to Aaron Cruden means they start Marty McKenzie at 10 and prior All Black arrangements means Liam Messam takes a break. For the Force they will be desperate to break an 8 game losing streak and going to Waikato is a tough place to win but they have Matt Hodgson returning from injury so his battle with Sam Cane will be good to watch. The Chiefs will be too strong for the Force, expect to see the backline run rampant – Chiefs 13+

 

ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders

Brumbies – $1.35

Higlanders – $3.00

The Brumbies host the Highlanders at GIO Stadium. The Highlanders are travelling light with all their All Blacks remaining home as per the agreement with NZRU to rest them throughout the season. The Brumbies discipline has cost them points early in the last few rounds and giving a side like the Highlanders easy points will entice them for more. The Highlanders always play with alot of heart but with missing their key players, Fekitoa, Aaron & Ben Smith the Brumbies should be too good at home and expect Pocock to own the breakdown. It’ll be tight but the Brumbies will take it 1-12.

 

Canterbury Crusaders v Auckland Blues

Crusaders – $1.27

Blues – $3.50

Two age old rivals play on a remembrance weekend, the Crusaders play host to the Blues. Both teams lost in their local derbies last round, the Crusaders are hot and cold this year finding great form one week and the next looking like a 4th 15. For the Blues, there isnt much to say but they’re playing for pride now with 1 win from 9 games. We can expect this game to be a battle as most New Zealand derby matches are, the Blues have rested All Blacks Kaino and Piutau but brought in an experienced front row of Woodcock, Mealamu and Faumuina. For the Crusaders it’s likely they’ll have Crotty back but Dagg is still a week away from recovery. The Blues have nothing to lose and will out gun the Crusaders. Blues by 1-12.

 

NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels

Waratahs – $1.20

Force – $4.20

The Waratahs host the Rebels at ANZ Stadium. Both sides coming off good wins last weekend and will be looking to extend their streak. The Tahs won tough last week beating the Hurricanes with heroic defense and the Rebels fought hard against the Brumbies is a surprise win. The Force are underdogs for this match but the Tahs will need to be careful, the Force have a knack of getting under their oppositions skin and the game turns into a grind which in this fixture will suit the Rebels. At the same time the Rebels need to shut down the big men and outside backs of the Tahs fast, given space to run they’ll hurt the Rebels. This will go down to the wire but the Rebels will get up, Rebels 1-12.

 

Lions v Free State Cheetahs

Lions – $1.33

Cheetahs – $3.10

The Lions host the Cheetahs at Ellis Park. The Lions come off the bye and will be well rested after a long tour of Australia and New Zealand and for the Cheetahs they were outscored last round in their loss to the Reds. This should be a traditional South African battle so expect a tight game with the forwards getting most of the ball. The Cheetahs have lost Willie le Roux so Joe Pietersen moves to fullback, expect Pietersen to use his boot more than the dynamic le Roux. The Lions were playing some good rugby before the bye knocking over the Bulls and Sharks and should do the same here but not my much. Lions more complete around the park should walk away, Lions 1-12.

 

Stormers v Bulls

Stormers – $1.65

Bulls – $2.15

The Stormers host the Bulls at Newlands. This should be another great  South African battle with both side coming off tight wins last round and whoever wins this match will lead the South African conference. The Stormers have been more consistant than the Bulls with some results going against them but in each game they have battled win or lose. The Bulls, one week smash the Crusaders and the following are beaten by the Lions then are in a high scoring affair with the Reds. The focus in this game will be with the big boys and who can get the front foot ball, dont expect to see as much running rugby as these teams have displayed over the last 3 rounds. Stormers will keep it tight and make it count, Stormers by 1-12.

 

Queensland Reds v Wellington Hurricanes

Reds – $2.90

Hurricanes – $1.37

The round ends with the Reds hosting the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Hurricanes were humbled last round in their loss to the Waratahs whilst the Reds took a tight victory from the Cheetahs.  The Hurricanes have lost Jason Woodword for the season with a broken ankle but should remain upbeat with talented Milner-Skudder available. The Reds are always tough to beat at home no matter their form and the Canes will want to get back their winning ways so its crucial that the Canes play their game and bring back that defense that has served them well. If we see a messy game expect a high scoring affair and the Reds to take it but if Hurricanes control the game from start to finish they’ll take it easy, Hurricanes 13+.

 

Bye week – Sharks

Super 15 Rugby Round Ten Preview

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Super 15 Rugby Round Ten Preview

Round nine provided little in the way of upsets; the Lions holding off a late fight back from the Sharks and the Highlanders getting up on their Crusader neighbors. Round ten has some juicy fixtures line up.

 

Canterbury Crusaders v Waikato Chiefs

Crusaders – $1.75

Chiefs – $2.00

Crusaders were unlucky last round losing out to an impressive Highlanders outfit who know how to grind. The Chiefs should be fresh coming off the bye week. Both sides have the capability to score tries and boast packs with big engines. The Chiefs have more x-factor in their backline but the Crusaders more consistent purists. Even though the Crusaders lost last weekend, they’ll be better off for it and better prepared coming into this derby. Crusaders defense will be the difference, Crusaders by 1-12.

 

Wellington Hurricanes v New South Wales Waratahs

Hurricanes – $1.45

Waratahs – $2.60

The Hurricanes boasting 7 wins from 7 games, top of the Super Rugby table hosting the Waratahs at Westpac stadium. Coming off the bye the Hurricanes will hope to continue their great form pre the bye and the Tahs will be looking to get some respect back after they were bullied by a less fancied Stormers outfit. The breakdown is going to crucial; Hooper is a traditional fetcher and will cause havoc if he isn’t looked after. Both sides have the potential to score from anywhere on the park but the Hurricanes look more likely to do so. Hurricanes to wallop the Tahs, Canes 13+

 

Otago Higlanders v Auckland Blues

Highlanders – $1.45

Blues – $2.60

The Blues picking up their first win of the season last round visit a Highlanders outfit coming off a good win against the Crusaders. We should see a lot of attacking rugby as both sides boast skilled backs with loads of speed, it’ll come down to whoever can convert their opportunities and make less errors as the game will be pretty open. If its open and messy expect the Blues to walk away with the win, if Sopoaga and Aaron Smith lead their troops well the Highlanders will take it. Highlanders 1-12.

 

ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels

Brumbies – $1.18

Rebels – $4.50

After a surprise loss to the Blues the Brumbies return home to GIO stadium hosting a Rebels outfit coming off the bye. The Brumbies have been hit with some injuries to crucial players Toomua, Kuridrani, and Mogg on top of other key personnel – this will certainly challenge their depth if they are out for a long period of time. The Brumbies still boast a good roster with Stephen Moore and Nic White leading the troops will be too good for the Rebels who will battle but will struggle to keep up. Brumbies win it late, 1-12.

 

Western Force v Stormers

Force – $2.45

Stormers – $1.50

The Force host the Stormers NIB Stadium in Perth. The Force coming off a loss to the Cheetahs face a Stormers outfit that humiliated the Waratahs last round. Expect to see a touring Stormers outfit batter this Force team around the park to finish their Australasian tour on a high. The Force sit second to last 1 point ahead of the Reds, Stormers 13+ .

 

Sharks v Bulls

Sharks – $1.70

Bulls – $2.05

The Sharks host the Bulls at Kings Park. Both sides coming off mixed fortunes in round 9. For the Sharks they’re still missing key personnel with B. du Plessis, Deysel, and F. Steyn still suspended and Lambie out with injury, the Sharks depth certainly being tested. For the Bulls they were a little loose on defense especially around the ruck, being caught out close in and around the fringes multiple times however the Bulls are choosing the run the ball more this season, and looking dangerous in doing so. This will be a traditional South African battle up front but the Sharks are going to struggle with depth off the bench so expect it to be a grinding affair but the Bulls will be too strong, Bulls 1-12.

 

Free State Cheetahs v Queensland Reds

Cheetahs – $1.40

Reds – $2.80

The Cheetahs host the Reds at Free State Stadium in the last game of the round. Cheetahs sitting a couple places above bottom of the table Reds, both sides with scratchy form over the first half of the season. The Red’s looked to be getting back on track last weekend against the Bulls but the result blew out, the Cheetahs have been on the back of 3 big loses before grinding out a win last round. At home the Cheetahs should take this but it will be an interesting battle up front as the Reds can generally hold their own at scrum time. Cheetahs will run away with the game, 13+.

 

Bye week – Lions