Couch Critic previews selected Champions Cup Rugby matches taking place on Saturday 18th January including Benetton vs Leinster, Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors and Lyon vs Northampton with best bets from @Olimp_SA
After this round we say goodbye to more than half of the sides as only the quarter finalists will remain. There remains plenty to play for in this last full round of Champions Cup action and here is how I see some of the clashes going down from a betting perspective.
The unique format of the Champions Cup means that the pool winners as well as the three best runners-up go though to the playoffs. The likes of Northampton, Glasgow, Ulster, Saracens, Munster and Gloucester will all still be eying one of those three tickets. Five team have already qualified to remain part of the competition but even these sides will be keen on pushing for a strong finish as the points will count toward determining the hosting of the semi-finals.
Benetton vs Leinster (Saturday @ 15:00)
The Irish giants have been their dominant selves in the Champions Cup as they have gone five from five with four bonus points for good measure. Leinster are one of five sides already guaranteed a spot in the Quarters, but they will want to finish strong so as to ensure they also secure a home semi-final birth in the final shake-up. There might be no incentive for the visitors to really out the boot in as a victory is all they are after but the Italians might not have all that much appetite for a tooth and nail fight which holds zero value to them. I expect Leinster to cruise to a comfortable win.
Lyon vs Northampton (Saturday @ 15:00)
The Saints are one of those teams in the battle for the three runner-up spots. Currently they are just out of play-off reckoning and thus a victory in France is a non-negotiable for the English side. Lyon are out of the comp and have more pressing matters on the home front. Northampton weren’t exactly clinical against Benetton last week but they go the job done whilst their French opponents took a decent beating from Leinster.
Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors (Saturday @ 17:15)
I’ve been pretty quick to back my South African Sharks in their new English Premiership home yet I find myself abandoning ship this week. Glasgow find themselves locked in a battle for those three runner-up spots and I expect them to be hungry and focussed. The Warriors put in a superb effort to draw with the high-flying Exeter Chiefs last week and they should have too much incentive and passion to make it to the knockouts of this tournament to be derailed by a Sale side that haven’t been able to consistently string solid performances together thus far.
Sunday
I would not get involved in Sunday’s games until we have a clearer idea of who is still in the running for qualification and whom not.
BETOLIMP BETTING PLAYS:
Northampton to win and beat the cap of -4.5 @ 1.82
Treble: Saints win / Glasgow win / Leinster -12.5 @ 3.16
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
