Bulls vs Ospreys
The Bulls play host to the Ospreys in this crucial URC match. The home team were shocked 27-22 by Munster at their fortress Loftus Versfeld in their last match. The result put a serious dent into their hopes of a home playoff match. The visitors caused one of the upsets of the season last time out when they beat the highly fancied Stormers in Cape Town. The played the conditions perfectly as the ball was slippery and they controlled the game expertly while the home team tried to run everything and committed numerous errors. The conditions for this match will be vastly different as it will be at altitude.
TIP: The Bulls will be without their talisman Johan Goosen who is suspended after his red card in the last match. It was the sending off that turned the match as the Bulls looked in control at that stage. The Ospreys will be well advised to not kick as much as they in the last match as the home side have great attacking threats like the Springbok back three of Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie. 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
Stormers vs Ospreys
- The Bulls have won the only two previous matches between the teams.
Latest results for both teams
The Bulls lost 27-22 to Munster in the last match while the Ospreys beat the Stormers 27-21 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Johan Goosen will be sorely missed in the pivot position although his replacement Chris Smith has plenty of experience at the highest level. He is more a kicking flyhalf so it will be up to Willie Le Roux to do the playmaking role. The Ospreys will surely look to hand a start to Jack Walsh in the ten jersey after his brilliant performance as a replacement. The visitors pack stood up well to the Stormers but it remains to be seen if they can do it twice in seven days at altitude. The Bulls will be desperate to bounce back with a home win therefore I predict a home win by 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Bulls
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 David Kriel, 11 Sebastien de Klerk, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw (captain), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig, 6 Cameron Hanekom, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
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 Bulls 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 (+20.5)
Gbets 1.90 (+20.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+20.5)
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 (+20.5), Gbets 1.90 (+20.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+20.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Scarlets vs Sharks
Bath vs Saracens
Harlequins vs Northampton
Leicester vs Bristol Bears
Zebre vs Glasgow
Dragons vs Connacht
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.
