Lions vs Dragons
The Lions welcome the Dragons to the Emirates Stadium for the resumption of the United Rugby Championship. Both teams will be hoping to restart their campaigns with a win after the international break. The Lions are currently in 10th place on the log while the Dragons are in 12th spot but both teams have 15 points. The Lions know that they have to win their home matches if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Dragons on the other hand are still looking for their first away win of the season.
TIP: The home side have surprised many with their play this season especially since they are a very young and inexperienced team. They have unearthed some young stars this season with Henco Van Wyk being the real stand out young player. His performances did not go unnoticed by the national selectors as he was called up to play for the SA A team. The bookies have the Lions as favourites for this match and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.11, Playabets 1.12 and Sunbet 1.10
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Lions vs Dragons
- These teams have met once before with the Lions winning 21-11
Latest results for both teams
The Lions lost their last match 32-21 to the Stormers while the Dragons beat Zebre 47-7 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Dragons will need their set piece to gain parity at least against the Lions for them to have any chance of causing an upset. They will need the likes of Captain Ross Moriarty and Sio Tomkinson to have barnstorming games to help the younger players in their team. The Lions have attacking threats all over the park and if halfbacks Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba can link the backline then the likes of Edwill van der Merwe and Rabz Maxwane could have a field day with their blistering pace. The home side has the advantage over the Dragons in most aspects therefore we suggest the Lions to win by 20 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Lions
15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruhan Straeuli, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (c), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole
Dragons
15 Angus O’Brien, 14 David Richards, 13 Steff Hughes, 12 Jack Dixon,11 Sio Tomkinson, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Lewis Jones, 8 Ross Moriarty (c), 7 Ben Fry, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Sean Lonsdale, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 James Benjamin, 1 Aki Seiuli
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Lions victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.11
Playabets 1.12
Sunbet 1.10
Odds comparison on the Lions handicap:
The complete odds on the Lions handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-15.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-15.5) 1.89
Playabets (-15.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
There are very poor odds on the Lions outright win therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-15.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-15.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-15.5) 1.84
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.
