Sharks vs Scarlets
The Sharks are currently on 5 points in 14th position while the Scarlets are in 10th position with 11 points. The home team will be looking to start their home leg off in style and they will be counting on their returning Boks to help them. The Scarlets are a team that loves to run the ball from anywhere and the Sharks defence must be alert otherwise the visitors could surprise them. The Sharks need to dominate the Welsh team in the forwards so that their potent backline gets a chance to showcase their talents. This could be a very entertaining game as both sides like playing attacking rugby.
TIP: The player that will be most desperate to show his skills will be Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi as he was on tour for months with the Springboks without getting onto the field. He is a devastating runner with loads of pace and if given space, he is a match winner. The Sharks pack could also be bolstered by the returning Boks depending on what their rest requirements are. The bookies have the Sharks as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the victory. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.30, Playabets 1.28 and Sunbet 1.25
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Sharks vs Scarlets
- This is the first meeting between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Sharks lost their last match 23-17 to the Cardiff Blues while the Scarlets beat Benetton 34-28.
PREDICTION
The Scarlets for all their running rugby style are weak in the forwards and no doubt the Sharks will be targeting them in this area. The home team will be looking for their pack to give them that go forward ball that will lay the platform for their backs. Boeta Chamberlain seems to be the man in the flyhalf position and it will be up to him to get the wingers and Fassi into the game. The Scarlets will be surprised by the home team and their ability to keep the ball alive between backs and forwards. The first match on tour for the visitors will end in a Sharks victory by more than 12 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Scarlets
15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Ryan Conbeer, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Steff Hughes (captain), 11 Steff Evans, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Morgan Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Phil Price
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.30
Playabets 1.28
Sunbet 1.25
Odds comparison on the Sharks handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Sharks handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-8.5) 1.82
Playabets (-8.5) 1.86
Predictions and Odds in details
The Sharks are a team that can be brilliant one week and poor the next but the experience that the Springbok players will improve the focus of the team. They will attack the Scarlets at scrum time and through the driving maul. The home team has a huge pack and will use it against the much lighter visitors pack. The Scarlets must avoid the set pieces or else it could get ugly for them. The bookies offer decent returns on the outright Sharks win therefore the value bet is the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-8.5) 1.82 and Playabets (-8.5) 1.86
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.
