Glasgow Warriors vs Leinster
Both these teams have a chance to top the table but will need results to go their way. They both suffered first round losses and will be angry as those were very winnable games. Leinster has blown hot and cold in this competition while Glasgow are on a three game winning. Leinster will be looking for a bonus point victory to stay in touch with surprise leaders Benetton. The main reason for the different showings in each game for Leinster is that they are constantly changing the matchday squads. Glasgow on the other hand has been constant in team selections and their results speak for themselves. They have unearthed a star in flyhalf Ross Thompson and he belies his young age. His excellent form has seen Adam Hastings move to the fullback position where he has been very good. The Leinster team will once again look to their forwards to lay the platform for them although the Glasgow pack has done very well in their recent games. Leinster has attacking threats all through their team and will hope their halfbacks can get the backline to fire. The player that has a lot to prove for Leinster is James Lowe who has received stinging criticism for his shoddy defence but he still remains one of the best attackers in the competition. Glasgow always shows a willingness to run the ball so we can expect an open exciting match. The Glasgow team need to front up in the scrums as this is where they will be severely tested by the likes of Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy. The player that impresses the most for Leinster has to be Josh van der Flier who has a tireless work rate. His involved in everything around the field and Glasgow will need to watch him closely especially at breakdown time as he is a master at winning turnovers.
TIP: The desire of both teams needing a bonus points promises that this match will be exciting. The four points won’t be enough so expect to see the teams kicking for the corner instead of going for the three points. Leinster not only has the best maul defence in the Rainbow Cup but also is deadly from the attacking maul .The Warriors will need to be at their best to stop this weapon or else this match could become a one sided game. The running game of Glasgow has come to the fore in their recent matches but they will need to be accurate as any errors will be pounced on by the Leinster team. The match should be fairly close but the more experienced Leinster team will come away with victory. The bookies have Leinster as the favourites and rightly so. The best odds on the Leinster victory are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.22, Playabets 1.21 and Hollywoodbets 1.21
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Glasgow Warriors vs Leinster
- The last five matches between these teams have been won by Leinster.
- In the last five home matches against Leinster the home side has managed just one victory.
- The last time Glasgow beat Leinster was in 2017.
Latest results for both teams
Glasgow won their last match against the Dragons 27-16 while Leinster won their last match against Ulster 21-17.
PREDICTION
The Glasgow team has shown plenty of fight in their matches and has a decent pack along with some deadly finishers like Kyle Steyn. His return from a lengthy injury lay off has certainly aided the team in attack so Leinster will need to watch him closely. The Leinster team has so many threats but the player I would like to see with ball in hand is Jordan Larmour as he has blistering pace and a great sidestep. He has gone off the boil this season and this may be the ideal opportunity for him as this game will be nice and open. The hard work starts up front and Leinster seem to have the edge regardless of the starting XV that they put out. The overall strength and experience of the Leinster forwards make me predict a Leinster victory by less than 10 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Glasgow Warriors
15 Adam Hastings, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Ratu Tagive, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 George Horne, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Ryan Wilson (captain), 5 Richie Gray, 4 Rob Harley, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 George Turner, 1 Tom Lambert.
Leinster
15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Josh Murphy, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ryan Baird, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Seán Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Leinster victory are as follows:
Playabets 1.21
Hollywoodbets 1.21
Odds comparison on the Glasgow handicap:
The complete odds on the Glasgow handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.90
Playabets (+10.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
The added incentive in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup is the winner of the competition plays the South African team that wins the Rainbow Cup SA. These teams know that any realistic hope they have of winning the competition rests with them gaining a bonus point victory. Glasgow needs to be guarded against attacking from their own half as the Leinster defence will suffocate them into errors. They are not used of chasing tries while Leinster on the other hand rarely kicks for the posts. The home side must stick to their game plan and not be drawn into changing their plans as this will play into Leinster’s hands. The match should be won by Leinster but the bookies have given generous handicaps on Glasgow. The returns on the Leinster outright victory aren’t great for punters. There is good value for money on the Glasgow handicap. The best odds on the Glasgow handicap are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.90 and Playabets (+10.5) 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.
