Clermont vs Ulster
This match is the pick of the first round matches as French giants Clermont lock horns with Ulster in this Champions Cup match. The Irish team are given a debut to their new signing, Springbok WC winner Duane Vermeulen. He was in Covid isolation for 10 days and will be raring to go in this match. His debut will be a baptism of fire as facing Clermont at home is one of the toughest tasks in European Rugby. Ulster have blown hot and cold this season beating Leinster at home then losing to Ospreys the next week.
TIP: All French teams are strong in the scrums and Clermont are no different as they have an all international front row and Ulster can expect to be attacked from the first whistle. The Irish will be up against a familiar face in JJ Hanrahan, the former Munster flyhalf, and his duel with Billy Burns could very well decide the outcome of this match.The bookies have Clermont as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the victory. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.50, Playabets 1.51 and Sunbet 1.52
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Clermont vs Ulster
- In six previous meeting each team has won three matches.
- All six matches have been won by the home team.
- Ulster lost 29-13 on their last visit to Clermont.
Latest results for both teams
Clermont beat Biarritz 39-11 in their last match while Ulster lost 19-13 to Ospreys in their last match.
PREDICTION
It will be interesting to see how Vermeulen goes in his first match as he will be up against the experienced Fritz Lee. This is one of many great individual contests in this match. The French side have two international wingers in Damian Penaud and Alivereti Raka. Both players are superb finishers and if given space they will make Ulster pay. Ulster will have to stick to their game plan of using their forwards and kicking for territory but will need to be wary of Clermont on the counter attack. I expect the French crowd to be the difference therefore I predict a home win by 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Clermont
15 Cheik Tiberghien, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Jean-Pascal Barraque, 12 Tani Vili, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Kevin Viallard, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Arthur Iturria (c), 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Jacobus van Tonder, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Yohan Beheregaray, 1 Peni Ravai
Ulster
15 Michael Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Ethan McIlroy, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Marcus Rea, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (c), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andy Warwick
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Clermont victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.50
Playabets 1.51
Sunbet 1.52
Odds comparison on the Clermont handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Clermont handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-5.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-5.5) 1.88
Playabets (-4.5) 1.88
Predictions and Odds in details
Clermont’s back row of Fritz Lee, Peceli Yato and Arthur Iturria are among the best in Europe and will dominate most matches but Ulster have a fantastic back row too and the flankers that can give them the ball on the front foot will win this game. The Clermont team will have the advantage at scrum time but must defend the Ulster driving maul as this is the Irish teams biggest weapon. The bookies are offering decent returns on the Clermont win but I suggest the value bet of the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-5.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-5.5) 1.88 and Playabets (-4.5) 1.88
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.
