Crusaders vs Force
The Crusaders welcome the Force to the Orange Theory Stadium for this Super Rugby encounter. The home side will be looking to bounce back from the defeat they suffered in the last match when the Chiefs beat them 34-24. It was their third defeat in the season, leaving them in fifth place on the log. The Force must be aware that the home side will be looking for redemption and they will need to have a better start than in their previous matches. The home side will need to be more clinical in their attack as they wasted the possession they had in the Chiefs 22m area in the last match.
TIP: The Crusaders have lacked the cutting edge in attack as they missed their two best finishers in Will Jordan and Sevu Reece. They will be delighted that Jordan is back for his first start of the season and the Force will need to keep a close eye on the deadly finisher. The visitors are under pressure as they have only one win from their last four matches. They will need to return to winning ways soon or risk missing out on the playoff positions. The bookies have the Crusaders as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.04, Gbets 1.03 and Hollywoodbets 1.03
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Crusaders vs Force
- The Crusaders have won the last five matches against the Force.
- The last time the Force beat the Crusaders was in 2013.
Latest results for both teams
The Crusaders lost 34-24 to the Chiefs in their last match while the Force lost 31-17 to the Reds in their last match.
PREDICTION
The defending champions have looked a shadow of the team that has won the last five titles as they continue to struggle to find any fluidity in attack. The major reason for this is the poor form of their halfbacks with their talisman Richie Mo’unga in serious danger of losing his All Blacks number ten jersey to Damian Mckenzie. Coach Robertson has reacted by dropping Mitchell Drummond and replacing him with rookie number nine Noah Hotham. The Force know that they will be outmuscled in the forwards therefore they will need to avoid too many set pieces. I am expecting a backlash from the Crusaders and predict a win by 30 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Crusaders
15 Will Jordan, 14 Macca Springer, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Joe Moody
Force
15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Sam Spink, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Max Burey, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Michael Wells (c), 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Felix Kalapu, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Charlie Hancock
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Crusaders victory are as follows:
Betway 1.04
Gbets 1.03
Hollywoodbets 1.03
Odds comparison on the Crusaders handicap:
The complete odds on the Crusaders handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-25.5)
Gbets 1.88 (-25.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.88 (-25.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Crusaders 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 (-25.5), Gbets 1.88 (-25.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.88 (-25.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Griquas vs Lions
Crusaders vs Western Force
Cheetahs vs WP
Bristol vs Gloucester
Rebels vs Brumbies
Toulouse vs Bordeaux Begles
Checkout the betting latest offers here
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.
