Pumas v Stormers, Betting Preview & Prediction

Posted on by Matthew Nepgen

PUMAS v STORMERS

The Pumas play their first fixture at home in Nelspruit having lost by 22 points to the Cheetahs on the road and then stunning the Griquas, beating them by 6 points also on the road.  They were certainly much improved against Griquas having been blown away in the first-half against the Cheetahs where they conceded over 40 points.

Stormers got off to a rusty start last week eventually hanging on to beat the Lions 23-17 having had a bye in Week 1. 

Looking back at recent Currie Cup head to head matches hosted by the Pumas they were well beaten 57-28 in 2018, but beat WP 22-12 in 2017.

BETTING – Click here to bet

Pumas 17/2

Draw 45/1

Stormers 1/10

Handicap:  Pumas (+18.5) at 9/10, Stormers (-18.5) at 9/10

Suggested Bet:  1st try Scorer Bongi Mbonambi at 12/1

The Stormers maul looked powerful against the Griquas last week and I can see Bongi guiding them home from a 5m lineout.

Lions v Stormers, Betting Preview & Prediction

Posted on by Matthew Nepgen

LIONS v STORMERS

The Stormers have been priced as favourites for this fixture with the handicap (-3.5) at the time of writing.  Looking at the sides I do believe the Stormers have the edge, but I also think that altitude could play a bigger role than normal in this local derby given that the Stormers side would have spent all of lockdown at sea level.

The Lions are missing some of the big names we have seen in recent years, but they are always full of running and this is a match where I will be looking to go high on Lions points once the lines are out.  For now though I will settle for a play on the handicap as I expect the Stormers to be breathing heavily in the second half and reckon the Lions can snatch a win.

Betting – Click here to bet

Lions 14/10

Draw 28/1

Stormers 6/10

Handicap:  Lions (+3.5) at 9/10, Stormers (-3.5) at 9/10

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Lions (+3.5) at 9/10

These festival games can be hard to call and another option for punters would be to wait for the in-running betting which will be available on the World Sports Betting website.

Bulls v Sharks, Betting Preview & Prediction

Posted on by Matthew Nepgen

BULLS v SHARKS

The Bulls play their first match under Jake White and having opened underdogs for this game they were backed into 15/20 favourites but have now drifted to 21/20.  They have a very strong pack which I would expect to get on top of the Sharks over the 80 minutes and although I give the Sharks the edge in the back line, it is up front where I think the Bulls can lay the foundation for victory.

BETTING – Click here to bet

Bulls 21/20

Draw 25/1

Sharks 9/10

Handicap:  Blues (+0.5) at 9/10, Sharks (-0.5) at 9.10

Suggested Bet:  Bulls win at 21/20

As suggested above I like the Bulls here and I think that altitude could also play a role towards the end of the match.

Brumbies v Reds, Super Rugby AU Final Betting Preview & Prediction

Posted on by Matthew Nepgen

The Brumbies and the Reds will meet in the Super Rugby Australia Final in Canberra on Saturday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.

The Brumbies last match was a 26-7 defeat to the Reds in Brisbane, but that was a dead rubber for both sides as the Brumbies had already sealed top spot and the Reds second spot on the log.  Their last 2 home games have seen a 17 point win over the Force and a 27 point win over the Waratahs and when these sides met in Canberra earlier in the season the Brumbies needed a last minute penalty to snatch a 22-20 victory.

The Reds have played better as the season has gone on and their defence has been particularly impressive.  In their last 4 games they have conceded 13, 7, 5 and 3 pointsrespectively.  They played the Rebels last week in Brisbane for a spot in the Final and despite conceding plenty of possession in the second-half they won 25-13.  The match was a very physical encounter which certainly would have taken its toll on the Reds players and they had a number of injury concerns this week.

BETTING – Click here to bet

Brumbies 7/10

Draw 25/1

Reds 27/20

Handicap:  Brumbies (-2.5) at 9/10, Reds (+2.5) at 9/10

Suggested Bet:  Winning Margin, Brumbies under 12.5 points at 15/10

This game could well be as close as the bookmakers are suggesting, but I give the edge to the Brumbies based partly on home ground advantage, but also the fact they will be the fresher side at the end of what has been a contested Tournament.

There will be plenty of other opportunities to bet in play and points lines will be out closer to kick-off.

Super Rugby Playoff, Reds v Rebels Betting Preview & Prediction

Posted on by Matthew Nepgen

The Reds and the Rebels meet in Brisbane on Saturday for a spot in the final against the Brumbies and we take a look at the game from a betting angle. 

The Reds were impressive last week in beating the table topping Brumbies 26-7 at home.  The game was a dead rubber with both sides assured of their log positions, but it was nonetheless an impressive effort by the Reds particularly on defence.

The Rebels were pushed hard by the Force eventually winning 34-30 and bagging the victory which ensured their spot in the playoff.

This will be the 3rd meeting of the sides this season with the Reds having won 19-3 the last time they met in Brisbane and once again it was the defence that led them to victory as the Rebels were consistently on the attack in the second-half.

Earlier in the season the sides had played to an 18-18 draw which included Super Time.

BETTING – Click here to bet

Reds 1/3

Draw 28/1

Rebels 28/10

Handicap:  Reds (-8.5) at 9/10, Rebels (+8.5) at 9.10

Suggested Bet:  Reds, Handicap (-8.5) at 9/10

For this bet to arrive we need the Reds to win by 9 points or more and given they are playing at home against a side which has been forced to be on the road all season I think it is a pretty good bet.  The Reds are capable of absorbing long periods of pressure and if, as I expect, they get into the lead the Rebels will be forced to take risks and the Reds can capitalize.