Dragons vs Sharks
The Dragons will come into this match will new found confidence after they won their first home game in more than a year. They had lost 13 consecutive home matches but shocked Irish giants Munster in their last match. The Sharks on the other hand remain to be the enigma of the South African teams as they were comfortably leading 28-10 in their match against Zebre but allowed the Italian side back in the match to eventually scrape the win 42-37. They can consider themselves very lucky as Zebre had a try ruled out in the closing minutes.
TIP: The Dragons were superb in defence against Munster and they will need a similar performance against a Sharks team missing a clutch of Springboks. Despite this the Durban based team still have a very strong squad that includes a number of internationals. The home side will again look to new recruit Sio Tomkinson to provide them that go forward ball in midfield. The bookies have the Sharks as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.37, Playabets 1.38 and Sunbet 1.40
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Dragons vs Sharks
- The Sharks beat the Dragons 51-3 in the only previous match between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Dragons beat Munster 23-17 in their last match while the Sharks beat Zebre 42-37 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Both teams have signed powerhouse centers during the off season with the clash between Tomkinson and Sharks Rohan Janse Van Rensburg already looking to be one of the highlights of the match. The visitors as always will look to their forwards to get the upper hand so that they can unleash their potent backline. The Dragons will need their Welsh international players like Ross Moriarty and Taine Basham to front up to the Sharks monstrous pack and if they can at least gain parity then this will be a close match. I am predicting the Sharks to win this match by six points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Dragons
15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Jack Dixon, 11Ashton Hewitt, 10 Reed, 9 Rhodri Williams; 8 Ross Moriarty.7 Taine Basham, 6 George Nott, 5 Will Rowlands (c), 4 Ben Carter, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Aki Seiuli
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.37
Playabets 1.38
Sunbet 1.40
Odds comparison on the Sharks handicap:
The complete odds on the Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.95
Sunbet (-8.5) 1.89
Playabets (-8.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Sharks outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.95, Sunbet (-8.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-8.5) 1.81
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.
