Connacht vs Bordeaux
Connacht welcome Bordeaux to the Sportsground in Galway to kick off their campaign in the Champions Cup. Both teams have star studded teams with plenty of Irish and French internationals present. The home team will be bitterly disappointed with their 24-22 defeat to Leinster in the last match while Bordeaux recorded one of the most bizarre victories over Oyannax in their last match. Connacht have been very difficult to beat on their home patch but Bordeaux have players like Damian Penaud and Mathieu Jalibert who can unlock any defence. There are numerous head to head battles but none more appetizing than Mack Hansen against Bielle-Biarrey on the wing.
TIP: Connacht will be delighted that their star centre Bundee Aki will make his long awaited return from a hamstring injury in this match. The World Player of the Year nominee will be playing his first match since the World Cup. Bordeaux will be looking to the inspirational Jalibert to dictate proceedings from the ten position. The home side will need to watch for his cross kicks to two of the best wingers in Europe in Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey. The bookies have Connacht as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.55, Gbets 1.55 and Hollywoodbets 1.54
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Connacht vs Bordeaux
- These sides have met twice before with Connacht winning on both occasions.
- This is their first meeting in the Champions Cup.
Latest results for both teams
Connacht lost 24-22 to Leinster in their last match while Bordeaux beat Oyannax 29-23 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Connacht will know that if they are to have any chance of making the knockout stages of the competition, they will need to win their home matches. They have looked dangerous in attack all season but will want to cut out the errors at crucial stages of the match. Bordeaux love to play an expansive game and will be hoping for a dry night so that their world class backline can show case their skills. Connacht will need to be accurate with their out of hand kicking as the visitors will punish any wayward kicking with their brilliant counter attacks. This will be a tight encounter which I predict will result in the home team winning by 6 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Connacht
15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Caolin Blade (captain), 8 Seán Jansen, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Oisin Dowling, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Peter Dooley.
Bordeaux
15 Buros R., 14 Penaud D. 13 Depoortere N. 12 Moefana Y.11 Bielle-Biarrey L. 10 Jalibert M. 9 Lucu M 8 Gazzotti M. 7 Diaby M. 6 Vergnes-Taillefer B. 5 Douglas K. 4 Petti G. 3 Falatea S. 2 Laterrade R. 1 Kaulashvili L.
- Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Connacht victory are as follows:
Betway 1.55
Gbets 1.55
Hollywoodbets 1.54
Odds comparison on the Connacht handicap:
The complete odds on the Connacht handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-4.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-4.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-4.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are decent odds on the Connacht outright win but if you are looking for better odds then we suggest backing the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-4.5), Gbets 1.87 (-4.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-4.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Toulon vs Exeter Chiefs
Bath vs Ulster
Toulouse vs Cardiff
Munster vs Bayonne
Bristol vs Lyon
La Rochelle vs Leinster
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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.
