Counties vs Otago
Counties Manukau welcome Otago to the Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe for this Bunnings NPC encounter. The home side started the season with four straight losses but have bounced back to win the last two. The visitors on the other hand won two of their opening three matches but have lost three on the trot since then. It is no co-incidence that the upturn in fortunes for Counties has come after the return from injury from fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo. He has been back to his brilliant best and has scored in each match since his return. Otago will need to quickly put the disappointment of losing in the last minute against Wellington if they are to end their winless run.
TIP: Counties welcome back Hoskins Sotutu for this match with the number eight hoping to continue with the great form he showed in Super Rugby. His battle with opposite number Will Stodart promises to be one of the highlights of the match. Counties have shown a willingness to run the ball from deep within their own half thanks to the counter attacking skills of Nanai-Seturo and winger MaliMali. The bookies have Otago as favorites but I am backing Counties for the upset win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 2.30, Soccershop 2.30 and Bettabets 2.30
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Counties vs Otago
- Counties have won three of the last five matches between the sides.
- Counties have won the last four home matches against Otago.
Latest results for both teams
Counties beat Northland 25-14 in their last match while Otago were beaten 32-28 by Wellington in their last match.
PREDICTION
If Otago are to end their run of losses, they will need to be more clinical in the opposition 22m area as they struggled to turn possession into points. It is a strange decision that Cameron Millar is reinstated in the ten jersey despite his replacement looking very good in the last match. The one area the home team will need to improve in is the scrum as they were dominated by Northland. Otago will need to be accurate with their out of hand kicking as this is when Counties are at their most dangerous. The number of game breakers in the Counties side makes me predict a home win by 4 points.
Probable Starting
Counties
1. K. KAIVELATA 2. Z. TOGIATAMA 3. S. ASOMUA 4. W. FURNISS 5. J. THOMPSON 6. A. BRASH 7. C. CHURCH 8. H. SOTUTU 9. J. TAUMATEINE 10. A. ALATIMU 11. P. MALIMALI 12. R. HOHEPA 13. T. OFA 14. J. GRAY 15. E. NANAI-SETURO
Otago
1. A. POLE 2. L. COLTMAN 3. S. MA’U 4. S. FISCHLI 5. W. TUCKER 6. O. HAIG 7. H. TAYLOR 8. W. STODART 9. J. ARSCOTT 10. C. MILLAR 11. J. WHAANGA 12. T. UMAGA-JENSEN 13. H. CREIGHTON 14. E. WAQAICECE 15. F. HURLEY
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Counties victory are as follows:
Tictacbets 2.30
Soccershop 2.30
Bettabets 2.30
Odds comparison on the Counties handicap:
The complete odds on the Counties handicap:
Tictacbets 1.85 (+2.5)
Soccershop 1.85 (+2.5)
Bettabets 1.85 (+2.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are excellent odds on the Counties upset win but if you are looking for a safer bet then I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.85 (+2.5), Soccershop 1.85 (+2.5) and Bettabets 1.85 (+2.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Southland vs Canterbury
Tasman vs Wellington
Waikato vs Hawkes Bay
Lions vs Cheetahs
North Harbour vs Manawatu
Counties Manukau vs Otago
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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.
