Bulls vs Scarlets
The Bulls and Scarlets kick off their season with a clash at Loftus Versfeld. The home team will be keen to get their campaign off to a flying start while the visitors will be looking to spring a surprise. The Welsh team are still without a number of their international players while the Bulls are missing their deadly wingers Kurt Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie. The home team have made a number of excellent signings ahead of the new season with the likes of Devon Williams and Sebastian de Klerk coming in from the Pumas. The Scarlets will need to be accurate with their kicking as these two are great counter attacking
TIP: The Bulls have selected an extremely strong forward pack which is no surprise as this is their traditional strength. Co-Captains Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje will be looking to put the pressure on the visitors at scrum time. The Scarlets love playing a high tempo ball in hand type of game but they will need their forwards to lay the platform for them. The bookies have the Bulls 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
Bulls vs Scarlets
- There have been two previous matches between the teams with one win apiece.
- The home team won the previous two encounters.
Latest results for both teams
This is the first match of the season.
PREDICTION
It will be a contrast of styles as the Bulls play a forward dominated game while the Scarlets will do well to avoid too many set pieces. The home team have bolstered their scrum options with the signing of prop Wilco Louw. The Bulls will no doubt be looking to target the Scarlets front row as it seems to be their weakness. Both teams have an excellent back three who love to run with the ball so we could see some exciting attacking rugby. The Bulls traditional strength is the lineout maul and it will be difficult for the visitors to stop it. The home team have a big advantage in the forwards therefore I am predicting a Bulls win by more than 20 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (cc), 5 Ruan Nortje (cc), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Scarlets
15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies (c), 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Ben Williams, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Sam Wainwright, 2 Shaun Evans, 1 Kemsley Mathias
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bulls victory are as follows:
Betway 1.05
Gbets 1.06
Hollywoodbets 1.05
Odds comparison on the Bulls handicap:
The complete odds on the Bulls handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-18.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-18.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-18.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Bulls outright win therefore we suggest backing them on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-18.5), Gbets 1.87 (-18.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-18.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
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Northampton Saints vs Bristol
Saracens vs Bath
Leicester Tigers vs Sale Sharks
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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.
