superugby2018Couch Critic provides the betting tips for selected matches in Round 4 of Super Rugby including Crusaders v Highlanders, Rebels v Sharks, Stormers v Jaguares and Bulls v Blues with best bets from @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

Last week the Crusaders repaid my faith but the Stormers were the big let-down of the weekend as they let things slip badly in the last quarter of their match against the Lions. The Highveld’s thin air kicked in at Ellispark and the Capetonians were lucky to escape with the victory let alone have a shot at beating the handicap – not a nice result for my punting weekend at all!

 

Crusaders vs Highlanders (Friday @ 08:05) – Christchurch

The Champions are back on their home turf and they host a Highlanders side who were extremely lucky to escape Canberra with a victory last week. The men from Dunedin have hardly impressed thus far whilst the Saders seem to be up and running well enough despite their slip-up in Hamilton.

Verdict: The Crusaders have proven to be the gift that keeps on giving for a number of seasons. The Highlanders were flattered by the victory over the Brumbies as they were dominated for the majority of that clash. This Crusaders side should have little trouble in putting their fellow Kiwi’s away with some room to spare. Look out for Jack Goodhue who has shown in the past two games that he is getting back to his best form. Leicester Fainga’anuku has worth watching off the bench as well as he has looked full of running.

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Crusaders to beat the handicap of -16.5 @ 1.87

Special Bet 1: Anytime Tryscorer – Jack Goodhue @ 3.50

Special Bet 2: Last Tryscorer – L Fainga’anuku @ 12.50

 

Rebels vs Sharks (Saturday @ 05:45) - Wendouree

The Sharks have the rare honour of playing a day game in Australia as they are hosted in Wendouree at the Mars Stadium. The Rebels were efficient enough in overcoming the Waratahs in Melbourne last week whilst the Sharks came down to earth with a bang against the Hurricanes. The Sharks were woeful at lineout time and there was little of the expected scrum dominance for the South Africans. The Durbanites got hit by some serious injury issues before and during the game but they will hope to have a stronger contingent available for this one. Grinding Aussies upfront is non-negotiable if you want to come out victorious.

Verdict: Australian sides in general have struggled at the start of Super Rugby 2020. The Sharks pack should be well up for this one after a disappointing effort against the Canes and Bosch and Mapimpi make their return amongst the backs. The Sharks have zero fear of travel or of this Aussie outfit and should be too strong for the Rebels. Sanele Nohamba gets his first start and he certainly knows his way to the tryline and Marius Louw should be hungry for action off the bench.

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Sharks to lead at halftime and fulltime – Sharks/Sharks @ 1.76

Special Bet 1: HT/FT Winning Margin – Sharks 1-8/Sharks 13+ @ 10.30

Special Bet 2: Sharks to lead at half-time by 1-8 points and to win the match by 13+ points @10.30

Special Bet 3: 1st Tryscorer Sanele Nohamba @27.00 

Special Bet 4: Last Tryscorer Marius Louw @18.00

 

Take our weekend football treble, Burnley to win, Sheffield United v Brighton both teams to score and Fiorentina v AC Milan over 2.5 goals with odds boosted to 9.00

 

Stormers vs Jaguares (Saturday @ 15:05) – Cape Town

Last week the Stormers dominated their game against the Lions for the better part of an hour. But yet again it was a case of their attacking not being able to finish off opportunities. This almost came back to bite them as the visitors from the coast were out on their feet in the last quarter and seemed destined to be pipped at the post. The Jaguares have proven to be a tough team to judge. They fluffed their lines against the Hurricanes and let in loads of first half points against the Reds.

Verdict: The Jags are a team to take seriously but the Stormers should be able to diffuse their physical challenge upfront and without a manic crowd spurring them on I believe the home side should be able to cover this handicap as the South Americans will struggle unlocking this Stormers defense.

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Stormers to win and beat the handicap of -7.5 @ 1.92

Special Bets: Stormers to lead by 1-8 points at half-time and Stormers to win by 13 or more points @9.00

Special Bet: Anytime Tryscorer – H Jantjies @ 4.00

 

Bulls vs Blues (Saturday @ 17:00) – Pretoria

Few things can make you look as silly as predicting what a Blues side will produce on a given day. Looking at the results to date both teams have been a touch unlucky and not quite as bad their results show. A loss to the Chiefs in Round 1 clearly isn’t the worst showing since we now all know that the Chiefs are the real deal in 2020. Losing against the Crusaders is also far from a humiliation. With regard to the Bulls they were in the fight in a damp game in Durban for almost 70 minutes and against the Stormers their finishing let them down.

Verdict: The big question mark around the Blues is what kind of mental state they pitch up in for the clash. Are the Aucklanders in South Africa for a good time or are they willing to roll up their sleeves and battle tooth and nail to win the battle of the set-pieces as well as each and every collision…? At current prices I have to favour the home side but be warned – betting on or against the Blues is a dangerous business.

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Bulls to win the game @ 2.10

BETOLIMP Value Play: Blues to lead at half time and Bulls to win the game – Blues/Bulls @ 6.67

 

Extra Play:

Take the double – Sharks onto Stormers @ 1.94

 

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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

Couch Critic