Ulster vs Lions
Ulster play host to the Lions at the Kingspan Stadium for this match in the URC. The home team will be delighted with their excellent win over Munster in the last match while the visitors are also in good form after they recorded their first win of the season when they beat the Scarlets with a last minute converted try. Both teams rely heavily on their pack of forwards to dominate which could result in an arm wrestle between the teams. The Lions were unlucky in their opening three matches as they lost all those matches by five points or less.
TIP: Ulster will in all likelihood go into this match with the same team that defeated Munster as changing a winning formula is not the best idea. The Lions have stuck largely with the same team all season although they did move Sanele Nohamba from the scrumhalf position into the flyhalf berth last time out. The move worked superbly as he was the spark that the backline desperately needed. The bookies have Ulster as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.15, Gbets 1.15 and Hollywoodbets 1.14
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Ulster vs Lions
- These teams have met twice before with Ulster winning on both occasions.
Latest results for both teams
Ulster beat Munster 21-14 in their last match while the Lions beat the Scarlets 24-23 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Lions defence was torn apart in the first match against the Stormers but since then they have been miserly and have one of the highest turnovers of opposition ball in the competition. Their loose forwards are brilliant at the breakdown so Ulster will do well to protect their ball. The home sides biggest weapon is their driving maul and they will be keen to test the Lions at lineout time as they showed a weakness in this area against a lightweight Scarlets pack. The battle between Stuart McCloskey and Marius Louw in the centers promises to be titanic. I am predicting a home win by 6 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Ulster
15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 David McCann, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Cormac Izuchukwu, 3 Greg McGrath, 2 Tom Stewart (captain), 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Lions
15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tsituka, 6 Hanru Sirgel, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Corne Fourie
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Ulster victory are as follows:
Betway 1.15
Gbets 1.15
Hollywoodbets 1.14
Odds comparison on the Lions handicap:
The complete odds on the Lions handicap:
Betway 1.90 (+13.5)
Gbets 1.87 (+13.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (+13.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Ulster outright win therefore we suggest backing the away team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: The complete odds on the Dragons handicap: Betway 1.90 (+13.5), Gbets 1.87 (+13.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (+13.5)
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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.