Betting preview: Leicester to fall to Bath
With Super Rugby in full swing and the European season getting towards its denouement, we look at the best bets from around the world.
Bath v Leicester Tigers
It has been a difficult season for both of these teams, but Leicester are a side going in the right direction and that is reflected in the market, with the Tigers 8/13 with bet365 to emerge triumphant and continue their surge towards the top-four.
The hosts have play-off ambitions of their own, however. They will be disappointed by their recent form, particularly following a frustrating loss to Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final, so expect a response.
Todd Blackadder’s men can close the gap on the Midlanders with a victory and, although they do not necessarily have home advantage, they defeated their rivals in the previous game at Twickenham.
This is the second match to take place at the home of English rugby in what has been billed as ‘The Clash’ and the West Countrymen are a decent 6/4 to overcome Matt O’Connor’s side.
In fact, Bath have not lost to the Tigers in a ‘home’ Premiership match since 2011 and even then, that was the visitors’ first victory at the Rec in five years. It should still be tight, though, and Bath are 9/2 (Sky Bet) to win by a margin of 1-5.
Brive v Lyon
Similar to the Pau game, it is interesting to see the bookmakers continually back Brive at the Stade Amedee-Domenech, despite their awful run of form. Simon Mannix’s men won that contest last month and it might be worth putting your money with Lyon for this encounter at 17/10 (bet365).
For what it’s worth the hosts are 11/21 with 888sport to improve their chances of beating the drop, but they have been poor over recent rounds.
Nicolas Godignon’s men went to the bottom of the table in round 21 and, although they did move back above Oyonnax into 13th thanks to a victory over fellow strugglers Agen the following week, it wasn’t convincing.
They also had to contend with a European fixture they perhaps didn’t need and Brive were duly dispatched by Newcastle Falcons 25-10.
Depending on team selection, Pierre Mignoni’s team should be fresher and, for them to be losing at half-time but turn it around in the second half, the visitors are 83/10 with Marathonbet.
Jaguares v Crusaders
Hurricanes v Sharks was an interesting game in terms of the betting, with the visitors a remarkably high 14/1 to defeat the New Zealand franchise but, despite their victory over the Blues last week, we couldn’t see the South Africans overturning the 2016 Super Rugby champions.
Therefore, this contest between the Jaguares and Crusaders seems slightly more realistic, with the Argentinians winning two of their past three matches. The triumph over the Lions was particularly impressive but they are still a generous 11/2 at Sky Bet to secure another victory.
Despite away losses to the Hurricanes and Highlanders, Scott Robertson’s men have made a solid start to the defence of their title, but the travelling may be a factor. Having faced – and beaten – the Lions, they now visit South America to take on a well-rested outfit. They are still 7/50 favourites with bet365, but the hosts have an opportunity to overturn the defending champions.