Ospreys vs Munster
Munster is on a roll having won all four of their matches with a bonus point. Ospreys are also on form and have three wins from four matches. The Munster team has shown remarkable form even when they have rested their regular starters. They have again experimented with their team for this clash and young Jack Crowley is in the pivotal flyhalf position. This could be a risk as his half back partner Craig Casey is also quite inexperienced albeit having played at international level. Ospreys have also changed their 10 for this match and have brought in the experienced Stephen Myler. I’m certain we are going to see a lot of kicking as they is the Ospreys preferred method of play. It can be boring and they can be found out if the opposition is strong in the air. This may be their tactic because of the inexperience in the Munster backline.
TIP: The Munster pack has been their big strength and again they have star players like Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne in the forwards. Players like Ethan Roots at 8 will need to stand up to the Munster pack or else they will be pummelled into submission. The Munster forwards have done an excellent job of laying the platform for the backs to score the tries. The loose trio of Munster is exceptional and this is where their forward dominance begins. The battle between the respective loose trio’s could potentially decide the match. The bookies have Munster as heavy favourites and I’m tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.20, Playabets 1.16 and Sunbet 1.17
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Ospreys vs Munster
- Ospreys have not won against Munster in their last 11 matches.
- The last time Ospreys won against Munster was in 2016.
- The last home win against Munster was in 2015.
Latest results for both teams
Ospreys won their last match 29-26 against Benetton while Munster won their last match 20-18 against Connacht.
PREDICTION
The Ospreys, although they have been winning showed that they have a weakness when they come up against a team with a resolute defence. Their attack is very one dimensional and the Munster team will be aware that if the defence is tight then they struggle to score. We have seen that Munster are very strong in the rolling maul and have scored many tries with the maul. It is imperative that Ospreys are well disciplined especially in their own half as Munster will look to go to the corner and attack them through the maul. The Ospreys will be without inspirational leader Alun Wyn Jones and will look to international players like Alex Cuthbert and Rhys Webb to guide them in the match. The overall class of the Munster forwards makes me predict a Munster win by less than 12 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Ospreys
15 Max Nagy, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Mat Protheroe, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Rhys Webb (c), 8 Ethan Roots, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Sam Cross, 5 Rhys Davies, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Elvis Taione, 1 Nicky Smith
Munster
15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Liam Coombes, 12 Dan Goggin, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Peter O’Mahony (c), 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Munster victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.20
Playabets 1.16
Sunbet 1.17
Odds comparison on the Ospreys handicap :
The complete odds on the Japan handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+11.5) 1.92
Playabets (+12.5) 1.88
Predictions and Odds in details
The player that is world class in the Ospreys team is their captain in this match Rhys Webb. He has started the season slowly but he is at his most dangerous when he is sniping around the rucks. He is blessed with bullet like speed and his team will need an outstanding performance to inspire them. Munster has been winning scrum penalties all season and if Ospreys can match them in the front row then we could see a close contest. Munster will be hoping that the forwards can allow their young halfback pairing the extra few moments they need on the ball. There are poor returns for punters betting on Munster on the outright win therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+13.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+13.5) 1.86 and Playabets (+13.5) 1.91
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.
