Bulls vs Ulster
The high flying Bulls welcome Ulster to Loftus Versfeld in this crunch match in the URC. The Bulls have won their last four matches and the manner of their victories has been most impressive. Ulster are coming of a loss to the Stormers but will feel aggrieved as they had a try disallowed in the final minutes. The Bulls have always been famous for having big forwards that dominate the opposition but this season they have developed an all-round game. Ulster have also been playing with freedom this season with the backs and forwards combining very well.
TIP: Ulster are currently in second position with 50 points while the Bulls are in 7th position with 37 points but do have a game in hand. All three previous teams that played the Bulls at Loftus have struggled in the second half due to altitude and humidity. In order to beat the Bulls, Ulster will need to build a lead going into the final quarter which will not be easy against a Bulls team in great form. The bookies have the Bulls as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.55, Playabets 1.53 and Sunbet 1.61.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bulls vs Ulster
- This is the first meeting between these sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls beat the Dragons 55-20 in their last match while Ulster lost 23-20 to the Stormers in their last match.
PREDICTION
Ulster are one of the few sides in the competition that will be able to match the Bulls forwards in terms of size and power. There is an interesting sub plot as Ulster have Duane Vermeulen in their team and he is an ex Bulls star while the opposite situation is true of Marcell Coetzee. Both these players are the backbones of their teams and their head to head contest stands out in this match. The Bulls have shown bravery in their play and are willing to attack from anywhere on the field. I predict the better balanced Bulls team to win by more than 8 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenkamp.
Ulster
15 Mike Lowry, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 Greg Jones, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.55
Playabets 1.53
Sunbet 1.61
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap :
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-3.5) 1.85
Sunbet (-3.5) 1.86
Playabets (-3.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
Ulster have some dynamic backline players like Mike Lowry and if he is given any space then the Bulls will have problems. Their power house centre Stuart McCloskey is another man that needs to be tackled before he gets on a run. The Bulls have flyers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Madosh Tambwe who have been brilliant this season and seem to score in every match. There are decent odds on the Bulls win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap for better returns. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-3.5) 1.85, Sunbet (-3.5) 1.86 and Playabets (-3.5) 1.82
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.
