Couch Critic previews selected Champions Cup Rugby matches taking place from 10th to 12th January including Bath vs Harlequins, Connacht vs Toulouse and Northampton vs Benneton with best bets from @Olimp_SA
With only two rounds of pool fixtures to go things are seriously heating up in the Champions Cup. Here are my plays for this coming weekend as I venture into my first rugby punts of 2020.
Bath vs Harlequins (Friday @ 21:45)
Yes this is a dead rubber as neither team have a chance of making it into the playoffs. Bath have lost all four of their Champions Cup matches thus far and there is also little to chose between the sides in the Premiership. Yet it will be about a touch of home pride for the Bath lads and I reckon there is a touch of value about the home side.
Connacht vs Toulouse (Saturday @ 17:15)
The French side have shown their sublime class at times this season and are comfortably on top of Pool 5. They will however like to secure their quarter final position by picking up a victory in Ireland. Connact haven’t had a bad campaign but their race should be run. They are usually a tough nut to crack at home and Toulouse haven’t beaten an Irish opponent for quite some time yet I believe all the momentum is with the in-form French outfit at present.
Glasgow Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs (Saturday @ 17:15)
Another table topper faces a team trying to sneak into the playoffs via the back door. Exeter might be slightly distracted by duties on the home front but I believe they have the quality and class to dispatch of the Glasgow side even in Scotland.
Northampton vs Benneton (Sunday @ 15:00)
The Italians are well and truly out of the competition whilst the Saints will still feel they are in with a shot at qualification if they can finish strong. The home side should be out to chalk up the bonus point and I don’t see Benneton putting up too much of a fight.
Racing 92 vs Munster (Sunday @ 17:15)
Munster still have plenty to play for as they look to claim a Quarter Final berth. But they haven’t really been at the top of their game and travel to France to tackle a tough Racing 92 team who will know that a win cements their spot with a round left to play. The hosts come into this clash off the back of a good victory over Clermont in the Top 14 this past weekend.
BETOLIMP BETTING PLAYS:
Bath to beat Harlequins @ 2.06
Double: Toulouse to beat Connacht onto Exeter over Glasgow @ 2.07
Treble: Northampton -15.5 / Racing win / Toulouse win @ 2.34
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
