Betting preview: Champions Cup semi-finals

Editor

The Champions Cup semi-finals take place this weekend so we have a look at the best odds from the Leinster-Scarlets and Racing 92-Munster encounters.

Leinster v Scarlets

Leinster take on the Scarlets at the supposedly neutral Aviva Stadium, a ground that the Irish province regularly uses for home matches, and it is one of the reasons why they are seen as heavy favourites for this encounter.

Another is that, while the Welsh region have been outstanding in both the Champions Cup and PRO14, Leo Cullen’s men have looked potential winners of the competition from the outset. Leinster’s dismantling of two-time defending champions Saracens in the quarter-finals was hugely impressive and they are 1/5 with various bookmakers to reach the showpiece event.

Their opponents should not be discounted, however, and they defeated the Dubliners in the 2016/17 PRO12 play-offs. Wayne Pivac’s men then followed that up with a victory over Munster in the final at, coincidently, the Aviva Stadium. It is therefore a surprise to see such long odds, with 188Bet having them down as 47/10 outsiders, so punters may fancy their chances of backing the Scarlets to cause an upset.

At the very least, it should be a thrilling affair as both teams like to play positively. Although semi-finals can be tight, and both bet365 and Betfair are at 40/1 for there to be no try-scorer, there should be plenty of five-pointers.

Isa Nacewa is favourite to cross the whitewash first at 17/2 but Steff Evans could be the player to back at 14/1 (bet365), repeating the feat he achieved in the teams’ previous meeting in a play-off match when the Scarlets emerged 27-15 triumphant.

Racing 92 v Munster

On Sunday, Munster will look to reach the final for the first time since 2008, but the two-time winners are seen as slight outsiders.

Despite their experience on the biggest stage in Europe, they have a number of injuries to contend with and face a team in excellent form. That hasn’t stopped them from defying expectations in the past and producing unlikely victories, as was shown in their quarter-final triumph, but could this be a step too far?

Munster’s opponents also have home country advantage albeit, unlike Leinster, Racing 92 will be playing in the comparatively unfamiliar surroundings of the Stade Chaban-Delmas; Bordeaux-Begles’ ground.

On a positive note, Johann van Graan can call on the excellent Conor Murray, who was superb in the last eight encounter against Toulon but, at 13/8 with Marathonbet, it seems a reasonable price for a side that are short of some key individuals.

The Irishmen are renowned for their European exploits and will have plenty of backing from the stands but the Top 14 outfit may have too much for them on this occasion. Various bookmakers have Racing at 4/6 favourites, while Teddy Thomas is seen as the likeliest to touch down first (9/1 with bet 365).

Van Graan’s men are resilient, however, and should they keep it tight, the province may be able to play on the French team’s nerves so, for Racing to be ahead at the break and Munster to snatch the win, it is 8/1 at William Hill, Betfred and BetStars.