Stormers vs Harlequins
This is the clash of the champions as the URC winners Stormers take on the Premiership winners Harlequins at the Cape Town Stadium in this round of 16 clash in the Champions Cup. The home team is coming off an excellent 22-22 away draw to Leinster in their last match while the visitors lost 36-24 to Saracens in their last match. Two of the most talented, young flyhalfs in world rugby, Mannie Libbok and Marcus Smith go head to head and promises to be the highlight of the match. Both are running 10s who love to throw the ball around, so this could be a very exciting contest.
TIP: The Stormers boast an all Springbok front row and will be targeting the Quins front row although the likes of Joe Marler and Wilco Louw will be no pushovers. Both these teams will play high tempo, risky rugby that produces great tries but they can also be deadly on counter attack therefore the team that makes the least mistakes will win. Springboks Damian Willemse and Andre Esterhuizen line up against each other in another appetising contest. The bookies have the Stormers as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.30, Gbets 1.29 and Hollywoodbets 1.30
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Stormers vs Harlequins
- This is the first meeting between these sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Stormers drew 22-22 with Leinster in their last match while Harlequins lost 36-24 to Saracens in their last match.
PREDICTION
European knockout games are usually cagey affairs but this match will be the exception to the rule as both sides only know one way to play and that is to attack for 80 minutes. The Stormers will be looking to launch their impressive backline while Smith also has dangerous runners in his backline. If the Stormers can stop Esterhuizen from getting over the advantage line, they would have severely disrupted the Quins game plan. The home team will play the game at pace and it remains to be seen if the visitors will be able to keep up especially if it is a hot day. I am predicting a home win by more than 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Stormers
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)
Harlequins
15 Nick David, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Will Evans, 6 Dino Lamb, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Joe Marler
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Stormers victory are as follows:
Betway 1.30
Gbets 1.29
Hollywoodbets 1.30
Odds comparison on the Stormers handicap:
The complete odds on the Stormers handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-8.5)
Gbets 1.88 (-8.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.88 (-8.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are decent returns on the Harlequins outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-8.5), Gbets 1.88 (-8.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.88 (-8.5)
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Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
