The latest Goodforthegame newsletter penned by @BrentGraham with best bets for the weekend 23rd to 25th October including the United Rugby Championship
I didn’t send out a newsletter last week because I wasn’t planning to get involved in the Champions Cup while away with the extended family. In the end, whether I was sitting in the lounge at our chalet or down at the pub alongside the pool, there was rugby on the television….and I inevitably ended up getting involved.
It proved to be a frustrating weekend, with a number of narrow losses. The most painful was my Bulls v Stade Français under 73.5 points bet. It looked in good shape at one stage, only for two late tries to seal my fate.
On the positive side, New Zealand over 5.5 tries against Australia arrived before half-time.
Looking ahead, we have a full round of URC rugby this weekend. There is also Top 14 and Premiership action, although I don’t personally get involved in those competitions. We have English Premier League football and, locally, the Carling Cup to sink our punting teeth into.
The Handicap
I was joined by the Admiral on last night’s edition of The Handicap, and we had a good chat as we worked our way through all eight URC matches.
Below are shortcuts to some of the key discussions:
Click here for Cardiff v Sharks chat
Click here for Edinburgh v Lions chat
Click here for Bulls v Ulster chat
Click here for Stormers v Scarlets
Click here for Leinster v Munster chat with a glowing Admiral
Weekend plays
All my URC bets will be posted in the betting blog.
At the time of writing, I haven’t seen any total-points lines for Saturday’s matches. I have no doubt that the Bulls game will be priced somewhere around the 70-point mark again, and I already have a bet lined up for that one.
Edinburgh look the business!
As far as tonight’s action goes, we once again have three games kicking off simultaneously.
My main focus will be on Edinburgh v Lions. The handicap has been fairly stable at Edinburgh -7.5, although it briefly touched -8.5 with a few bookmakers.
Edinburgh have started the season strongly and, after what must have been an emotionally draining week for the Lions, I have a feeling the visitors may be found wanting in the second half.
Bet: 2.5 units (1–5), Edinburgh -7.5 points at 19/20 at World Sports Betting
Sharks to finish strong!
The other Friday-night bet I fancy is a half-time/full-time play in Cardiff v Sharks.
The Sharks have certainly loaded their bench, with a couple of Springbok props set to come on, and I’m a little surprised to see the price drift to 7/1 for Cardiff to lead at the break before the Sharks come back to win the match.
Bet: 1.5 units (1–5), half-time/full-time Cardiff/Sharks at 7/1 at BetOlimp
Saturday URC accumulator at 10/1
As mentioned, most of my Saturday interest will probably come once the points lines are released. For those who simply cannot wait to get involved, though, here is an early accumulator:
Ulster +17.5 at 19/20
Benetton +9.5 at 7/10
Leinster -14.5 at 7/10
Ospreys -7.5 at 19/20
Bet: 0.5 unit (1–5), the accumulator at 10.12/1 at World Sports Betting
Other highlights on Goodforthegame this weekend
Ipswich take on Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League tonight, and you can click here for Chris’s preview.
Chris also looks at Saturday’s English Premier League matches, with Sunday’s preview to follow.
The Formula One title race looks done and dusted, but bookmakers are now offering betting on second place. Click here for the United States Grand Prix preview, powered by World Sports Betting.
UFC 333 should be an epic card, headlined by Volkanovski v Evloev. Click here for the preview, with prices from WSB.
Have a great weekend, everyone. I’m certainly not planning to get too involved on the betting front. After a Friday night braai with some friends from out of town, I’m hoping to spend plenty of quality time on the couch.
Until next week.
Cheers,
BG