Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs
The Bulls were on a horror run of three consecutive losses before winning their last match against the Dragons. They will be out for redemption after they were thrashed 44-14 in the reverse fixture albeit with a weakened team. The Chiefs will be looking for a victory in their first ever match in South Africa. They will be facing a baptism of fire at the fortress Loftus Versfeld where the Bulls are unbeaten this season. The Bulls will look to dominate the visitors up front but this will not be an easy task as the Chiefs have plenty of firepower in their pack. The loss of Stuart Hogg and Luke Cowan-Dickie will severely weaken the visitor’s team as they are both world class players.
TIP: The Bulls have not been the same team since their Captain Marcell Coetzee departed on his sabbatical to Japan. They need the rest of the pack to step up if they are to progress to the next round. The Chiefs play a very similar type of game to the Bulls where the ball is mainly kept in the forwards. The team that can better utilise their backline will win this match as the teams are well matched in the forwards. 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 1.55 Playabets 1.52 and Sunbet 1.50
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs
- These teams have only met once before with the Chiefs winning that encounter.
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls beat the Dragons 29-14 in their last match while the Chiefs beat Northampton 35-12 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Bulls team has shown in patches the inclination to play the running game but recently the cohesion in attack is sadly lacking. The return of Wandisile Simelane to his favoured outside centre position seems to be a great move as he looked back to his best in the last match. The home team have two of the best young attackers in the game in Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie but the problem is that they are seldom getting the ball in space. The Chiefs will need to be accurate with their kicking game as the back three of the home side are brilliant counter attackers. I am predicting a Bulls win by more than 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (c), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerard Steenekamp
Exeter Chiefs
15 Josh Hodge, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade (c), 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Jack Dunne, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Innard, 1 Scott Sio
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.55
Playabets 1.52
Sunbet 1.50
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap:
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-4.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-4.5) 1.89
Playabets (-4.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are excellent returns on the Ulster upset win but if you looking for a safety bet then I suggest the visitors on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-4.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-4.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-4.5) 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.
