Cardiff Blues vs Bulls
The Bulls have been the most disappointing of the SA sides as they have suffered heavy defeats in their first two matches. They won all the domestic titles in SA over the last two years but have struggled to find their form in Europe. The Blues have won one and lost one match so far. They will be boosted by the return of their two Lions Josh Adams and Josh Navidi. It’s difficult to understand how the Bulls are playing so badly but it also emphasizes how much fitter the European sides are. The Bulls have a huge pack and use those forwards to dominate teams but they have not been given that opportunity as the tempo of the matches has caught them off guard. Teams are keeping the ball in play and this is tiring the Bulls pack and they are unable to match up in defence against the constant attacks.
TIP: The Blues are also a team that enjoys a high tempo game but I’d expect that the Bulls will be ready for the challenge. There are a few Bulls players that need to show their experience and leadership qualities none more so than Marcell Coetzee. He is one of the few Bulls players that has extensive time playing in Europe. He looks to be down on confidence and that is spreading through the team. They are constantly kicking away possession but do not have good kick chasers therefore the opposition are having a field day counter attacking them. The Blues are deadly in attack and any misdirected kicks will see them punish the Bulls. The bookies have the Blues as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.35, Playabets 1.32 and Sunbet 1.34
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Cardiff Blues vs Bulls
- This is the first meeting between these sides.
Latest results for both teams
Cardiff Blues lost 18-14 to the Ospreys in their last match while the Bulls lost 34-7 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Teams have worked out very quickly that the Bulls defend very narrow and therefore they have been spreading the ball out to the wings and making easy metres. In Josh Adams the Blues have one of the best wingers in world rugby and if given any space he will be a nightmare for the Bulls.The Blues team’s strength certainly lies with their backline and have players like Adams, Hallam Amos and the powerful Willis Halaholo. The midfield duo of Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo are among the best pairing in the league. Both are internationals and their interplay is brilliant. The Bulls midfield of Lionel Mapoe and Harold Vorster will need to have the best defensive display to stop the Blues centers. If the Blues get their running and off-loading game going then the Bulls will struggle to keep pace with them. I predict a home win for the Blues by more than 8 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Cardiff Blues
15 Hallam Amos, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 James Ratti, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Josh Turnbull (c), 5 Matthew Screech, 4 Seb Davies, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Rhys Carré
Bulls
15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tanbwe, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Joe van Zyl, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Cardiff Blues victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.35
Playabets 1.32
Sunbet 1.34
Odds comparison on the Cardiff Blues handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Cardiff Blues handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-7.5) 1.92
Playabets (-7.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
This match could be one of those rare games where the stronger pack does not win the match. The Blues could struggle at scrum time against the Bulls therefore they will try to keep the ball in play as much as possible. They do however have the brilliant Josh Navidi in their pack and he will be a nuisance at the breakdown where his great at winning turnover ball. The Bulls will look to flyhalf Johan Goosen to ignite the backline as he has great attacking threats in players like Madosh Tambwe and Cornal Hendricks. They are excellent finishers especially if they are given room to run in. The battle between the wingers will be one of the highlights in the match. The bookies are offering decent returns on the Blues win but the value bet is on the home team to cover the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-7.5) 1.92 and Playabets (-7.5) 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.
