Lions vs Bulls
The Jukskei derby kicks of the United Rugby Championship in South Africa as the Lions welcome the Bulls to Emirates Park. The home team in particular will be looking for an improvement on their showing from last year as they finished in a disappointing 12th position while the visitors finished 4th on the log but lost in the semi-final to the Stormers. There will be no love lost between the sides and there will be added spice as former Lions player Wandisile Simelane lines up for the Bulls
TIP: The Lions could be in for another long season as they lost a number of key players from last season that include Burger Odendaal, Simelane and Vincent Tshituka. They have a very young team and no doubt the Bulls will be targeting some of the youngsters. The visitors are among the favourites for the title and they will want to lay down a marker in their first game of the competition. 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 1.30, Playabets 1.28 and Sunbet 1.30
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Lions vs Bulls
- The Bulls have won three of the last four matches between the sides.
- The Lions have only won one of the last seven matches between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Lions beat the Dragon 21-11 in their last match while the Bulls lost 18-13 to the Stormers
PREDICTION
The Bulls showed last season that they have modified their game and are no longer interested in keeping the ball among the forwards but rather are playing a well-rounded game. The Lions hopes will rest mainly on the young shoulders of halfback pairing Jordan Hendrikse and Morne van den Berg. These two players are capable of upsetting the rhythm of the Bulls while Hendrikse has a siege gun of a boot. The Bulls will be too strong for the Lions especially in the forward pack therefore I am predicting a Bulls win by 14 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruhan Straeuli, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole
Bulls
15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Ruan Vermaak, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.30
Playabets 1.28
Sunbet 1.30
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap :
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.91
Sunbet (-7.5) 1.89
Playabets (-7.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Bulls outright win therefore we are backing the visitors on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.91, Sunbet (-7.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-7.5) 1.81
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.
