Stormers vs Ospreys
Inaugural champions Stormers welcome the Ospreys top the Cape Town stadium for this URC encounter. The home team are currently in fifth spot with 39 points, five behind fourth placed Munster who face a difficult match away to the Bulls. The home team know bonus point win is a pre-requisite but that won’t be easy against an Ospreys side that are chasing a playoff position. There are just four points separating the teams so the home team will need to be at their best as the Welsh side have brough a full-strength team for this match.
TIP: The Stormers have not looked their usual clinical selves especially in attack and much of this is due to the number of injuries that have plagued them. They will be without their fetcher Deon Fourie who may be out for the season but they do welcome back Hacjivah Dayimani for this match. They have selected Nama Xaba in the fetcher role so Ospreys will need to protect their ball at ruck time or else Xaba will have a field day. The bookies have the Stormers as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.05, Gbets 1.06 and Hollywoodbets 1.05
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Stormers vs Ospreys
- These teams have played each other twice before with the Stormers winning one match and the other ending in a draw.
Latest results for both teams
The Stormers lost 22-21 to La Rochelle in their last match while the Ospreys lost 23-13 to Gloucester in their last match.
PREDICTION
When Manie Libbok has a good game then the Stormers turn into a well-oiled machine but in order for him to control the match he needs his forward pack to lay the platform. The contest between the two front rowers will be an intriguing one as both teams have excellent scrums. If the Stormers can get good ball from the ruck then Libbok can unleash the likes of Warrick Gelant and Suleiman Hartzenberg who thrive when given any space. Ospreys have gone with youngster Dan Edwards at ten which can be a risk in an away match. The Stormers have too much fire power therefore I predict a home win by 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Stormers
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Frans Malherbe (c), 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Brok Harris
Ospreys
15 Max Nagy, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Keiran Williams, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morris (c), 7 Harri Deaves, 6 James Ratti, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Rhys Henry, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Stormers victory are as follows:
Betway 1.05
Gbets 1.06
Hollywoodbets 1.05
Odds comparison on the Ospreys handicap:
The complete odds on the Ospreys handicap:
Betway 1.90 (+17.5)
Gbets 1.90 (+17.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+17.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Stormers outright win therefore we suggest backing the away team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (+17.5), Gbets 1.90 (+17.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+17.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Glasgow vs Sharks
Ulster vs Cardiff
Saracens vs Gloucester
Connacht vs Zebre
Edinburgh vs Scarlets
Benetton vs Dragons
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.
