Connacht vs Leinster
The all Irish derby kicks of the Champions Cup quarter finals with Connacht welcoming Leinster to Galway. The home team have been wildly inconsistent this season often mixing a sublime performance one week with a very poor one the next week. Leinster on the other hand seem back to their best and were given a further boost when it was announced that talisman Johnny Sexton will be fit for this match. His battle with opposite number Jack Carty will be one of the highlights of the match.
TIP: Connacht know that they will need to make the most of the first leg tie as going to Dublin in the second leg needing a victory is an almost impossible task. They will need all their big name players like Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Carty to have great games to have any chance of upsetting the Leinster juggernaut. Aki will have his hands full trying to contain the Leinster midfield pair of Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose. The bookies have Leinster as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.18, Playabets 1.17 and Sunbet 1.16.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Connacht vs Leinster
- Leinster have won four of the last five matches against Connacht.
- Connacht have lost their last four home matches against Leinster.
- Leinster last lost away to Connacht in 2018..
Latest results for both teams
Leinster beat Munster 34-19 in their last match while Connacht beat Benetton 21-17 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Leinster team showed in their last match against Munster that they have quality throughout the team and with Sexton back they are even more formidable. In the past Carty has played his best rugby against Leinster and he will need to control the game to have any chance of causing an upset. The home team will need to be adventurous and run the ball more than they kick as Leinster have great attacking players in their side. The visitors look to have the advantage in the set pieces and this will ultimately be the reason that they win. I predict a Leinster win by more than 13 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Connacht
15 John Porch, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Jarrad Butler (captain), 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Leinster
TBA
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Leinster victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.18
Playabets 1.17
Sunbet 1.16
Odds comparison on the Leinster handicap :
The complete odds on the Leinster handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-11.5) 1.85
Sunbet (-11.5) 1.86
Playabets (-13.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
Leinster look to have the complete team with international players all through the starting XV and even their bench has an international look to it. The standout performer for Ireland and Leinster this season has been Josh van der Flier and he will again be a key man for them. Connacht will need Aki to get them over the advantage line with his barnstorming runs. There are poor odds on the Leinster win therefore we suggest the away team on the handicap for better returns. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-11.5) 1.85, Sunbet (-11.5) 1.86 and Playabets (-13.5) 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.
