Bulls vs Lyon
The Bulls welcome Lyon to their fortress Loftus Versfeld in their very first match of the Champions Cup. The home team would have been massive favourites for this match but Coach Jake White has sprung a major surprise by selecting a largely second string team to face the French outfit. It remains to be seen if this is a masterstroke or a major mistake. The visitors on the other hand have selected a full strength team for their first ever match on South African soil. They have experienced players throughout the team and will be confident of causing an upset in this match.
TIP: The game plan of the Bulls is simple as they use their powerful forward pack to dominate teams but they will be severely tested in this match as Lyon have plenty of French internationals littered across the pack. One of the highlights in the backline will be Morne Steyn up against New Zealander Fletcher Smith at flyhalf. The winner of this mini contest will go a long way to deciding the match. The bookies have the Bulls as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.37, Playabets 1.38 and Sunbet 1.40
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bulls vs Lyon
- This is the first ever meeting between these teams.
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls beat Cardiff 45-9 in their last match while Lyon lost 19-12 to Bayonne in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Bulls will be looking at their experienced players like Bismarck Du Plessis and Steyn to guide the relatively inexperienced team around the park. Lyon on the other hand are one of the few French sides that love keeping the ball with the forwards and they have giants like Dylan Cretin and Romain Taofifenua in their pack that will keep the Bulls pack very busy. It will also be a return for Bulls old boy Arno Botha and he can expect a hot reception when he takes the field. The Bulls have a talented team but it remains to be seen if they can handle the pressure of a European contest. We are backing the Bulls to win by 4 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn (c), 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Muller Uys, 7 WJ Steenkamp, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Jacques Du Plessis, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 1 Dylan Smith
Lyon
15 Leo Berdeu, 14 Ethan Dumortier, 13 Tavite Veredamu, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain (c), 8 Arno Botha, 7 Mickael Guillard, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Felix Lambey, 3 Paulo Tafili, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Jérôme Rey
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.37
Playabets 1.38
Sunbet 1.40
Odds comparison on the Lyon handicap:
The complete odds on the Lyon handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+8.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+8.5) 1.89
Playabets (+8.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns of the Bulls outright victory therefore we suggest the away side on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+8.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+8.5) 1.89 and Playabets (+8.5) 1.84
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.
