Betting preview: Connacht favourites against Edinburgh?
With Super Rugby and the European season in full swing, we look at some of the best bets from competitions around the world.
Connacht v Edinburgh
Edinburgh have seen a tremendous improvement since the appointment of Richard Cockerill as their head coach and are on a run of four consecutive victories.
Connacht, meanwhile, are out of the play-off race following two defeats in their last three games but are seen as favourites for this encounter, with them best priced 4/5 at William Hill. Although the Scottish outfit are still developing, it appears generous after the Irish province succumbed to Zebre in their previous home contest, and 7/5 at Unibet looks a decent punt.
The hosts’ most incisive attacking threat, Bundee Aki, is also not featuring, while the away side can call on a number of Scotland internationals.
Blair Kinghorn, in particular, impressed against Ireland in the Six Nations and showed that he could play at the highest level. Although he was on the wing when he scored at the Aviva Stadium, full-back is his natural position and Kinghorn is 16/1 at Bet365 to be first try-scorer.
Should Connacht get off to a quick start, however, Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy (8/1 and 10/1 at William Hill and Bet365 respectively) are seen as the likeliest to cross the whitewash first.
Sunwolves v Chiefs
Given how contrasting their success has been at this level since the Sunwolves’ inception into the competition in 2016, it is perhaps unsurprising that the Chiefs are 1/8 favourites at Ladbrokes, but the Japanese outfit do have the ability to shock.
While positive results are few and far between, they defeated fellow New Zealand franchise the Blues 48-21 in 2017 and almost snatched an unlikely victory against the Lions in round five. They appear to have improved from the team that ran the Waikato-based outfit close in Hamilton last year and 21/2 at Marathonbet could be worth taking a punt on.
Jamie Joseph’s men also have the incredibly dangerous Hosea Saumaki in their ranks. The 25-year-old Tongan has been in excellent form this season and, at 20/1 with Bet365, he represents decent value to be the first try-scorer. As does Anton Lienert-Brown for the Chiefs, who is the same price at Sky Bet should you think the Chiefs will dominate in the early stages.
Toulon v Clermont Auvergne
On league position alone, this should be a foregone conclusion and this is reflected in the market with the hosts 3/10 (Unibet) to claim a victory, but previously struggling Clermont Auvergne have regained their form.
Three successive victories have seen the defending champions move clear of relegation trouble and they were not far off their best in defeating Pau 38-14 last weekend. Marathonbet have them as outsiders at 7/2 but a repeat of their display in round 21 could put the hosts under duress.
Toulon have struggled for consistency, despite residing in fourth place, and head coach Fabien Galthie could be in the firing line from owner Mourad Boudjellal should they lose again following their defeat at Oyonnax. An early advantage for Auvergne would therefore make the supporters even more anxious and Les Jaunards are 19/4 with Bet Stars to be leading at both half-time and at the end.