Gloucester vs Leinster
Gloucester seem to have learnt from their embarrassment in the reverse fixture when they lost 57-0 in Dublin. In that match they decided to send a second string team and they were rightly hammered. They have selected their strongest available team to face the competition favourites Leinster. The Irish visitors are once again without their talismatic Captain Johnny Sexton who is out with a cheek injury. They still have a very strong team but will be concerned about how their scrum was dismantled in the last match against the Ospreys. Gloucester have only lost twice in their last 12 home matches across all competitions.
TIP: Leinster have been beset with injuries this season and for them to still put out a world class team shows the incredible depth that they have. Gloucester have their fair share of players unavailable for this match as well but will be counting on their supporters to lift the team in this do or die encounter. The visitors will book their place in the knockout stages with a victory in this match. The bookies have Leinster as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.11, Playabets 1.12 and Sunbet 1.10
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Gloucester vs Leinster
- Leinster won the only previous match between the sides 57-0.
Latest results for both teams
Gloucester lost 19-16 to Saracens in their last match while Leinster beat Ospreys 24-19 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The home team will be looking to bounce back from their heart breaking loss to Saracens in the last match when Owen Farrell kicked a drop goal deep in injury time. They have struggled this season in attack as they rely too much on their forwards to dominate the match. Gloucester have selected Santi Carreras at flyhalf and will be hoping that he can use his pace to break down the staunch Leinster defence. Leinster have enough experience in their team to carry them to a comfortable victory but they will need to stop the home teams major weapon, the rolling maul. If they manage to do this, then they will win this match by more than 15 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Gloucester
15 George Barton, 14 Jonny May, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Lewis Ludlow (c), 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Freddie Clarke, 3 Kirill Gotovtsev, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin
Leinster
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose (c), 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Leinster victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.11
Playabets 1.12
Sunbet 1.10
Odds comparison on the Leinster handicap:
The complete odds on the Leinster handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-15.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-15.5) 1.89
Playabets (-15.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns of the Leinster outright victory therefore we suggest the home side on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-15.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-15.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-15.5) 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.
