Champions Cup Betting Tips: How Will The Last 16 Second Legs Go?
It returned with a bang last weekend and given there is even more at stake in the coming days, further fireworks can be expected in the second leg of the Heineken Champions Cup.
While there are still plenty of sceptics who remain unconvinced about there being two parts to a knockout round in this top-tier European competition – and for very valid reasons – there is something to fight for in the majority of the ties that are due to take place over the Easter weekend.
The best betting sites are offering some interesting odds on who is likely to advance into the last-eight of the Champions Cup and edge themselves a step closer to the grand decider at Stade Velodrome in Marseille on May 28.
April 15
Leinster v Connacht
The first-ever European meeting between these Irish rivals in Galway last weekend was eagerly-anticipated, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
International colleagues James Lowe (Leinster) and Mack Hansen (Connacht) were amongst the standout performers on a night when the 8,126-strong crowd were treated to some spellbinding rugby.
A five-point deficit (26-21) is certainly not insurmountable for Connacht, but with Leinster having far greater experience of playing at the Aviva Stadium (the home of Irish rugby), the former Heineken Cup and Champions Cup winners are expected to progress with ease.
The best betting sites for rugby union are offering odds as tight as 1/25 and 1/33 on Leinster on the Blues prevailing, and it is hard to see anything other than this proposition happening.
Second leg prediction: Leinster (-16) at 4/1 with William Hill
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks
On a weekend when there were an astonishing six away wins, Bristol were the ones who were made to work the hardest for their success.
In a titanic arm wrestle, a Semi Radradra converted try helped Pat Lam’s side to claim a 10-9 triumph over Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Sale are capable of turning the tie on its head, but Bristol are being given a hesitant nod by UK bookmakers to come through against their English Premiership rivals.
Second leg prediction: Bristol To Win at 8/13 with Paddy Power
April 16
Harlequins v Montpellier
One of just two home winners in the first leg, high-flying Top 14 outfit Montpellier sent out a clear message of intent with a 40-26 win against Quins at the Altrad Stadium.
While being in their more familiar patch of Twickenham Stoop will help, the Londoners have significant ground to cover.
The general consensus is that Harlequins are capable of winning on the day, but it remains to be seen if the English champions can do so by 15 points or more.
Second leg prediction: Harlequins To Win By 6-10 Points at 9/2 with William Hill
La Rochelle v Bordeaux
Following the sideline fracas involving coaches Ronan O’Gara and Christophe Urios in their Top 14 meeting on the previous weekend, there was much anticipation ahead of the first leg clash between Bordeaux and La Rochelle last Saturday.
The latter proved to be the dominant force in the contest as they emerged from Stade Chaban-Delmas with an excellent 31-13 away win.
This puts last season’s finalists in pole position to progress at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Bordeaux currently lead the way in the Top 14 standings, but turning over their fellow countrymen looks to be too much of an uphill task.
Second leg prediction: La Rochelle To Win By 1-7 Points at 4/1 with Betfair
Munster v Exeter Chiefs
Even though Munster did suffer their first European defeat of the season at Sandy Park last Saturday, some tireless defensive work ensured they come into this weekend’s rematch against Exeter with an aggregate deficit of just five points (13-8).
Despite their disappointment at losing out there to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship recently, Thomond Park has played host to some memorable European encounters down through the years.
Munster are capable of progressing even without an overly comprehensive victory, but with Joey Carbery, Peter O’Mahony and Simon Zebo all in line to return from injury, there is every chance they will do enough to topple the 2019/20 champions.
Second leg prediction: Munster To Win At 1/2 with BetVictor
Leicester Tigers v Clermont
It didn’t look likely with half an hour on the clock, but Leicester have one foot firmly in the last-eight after recording a 29-10 victory over their French counterparts at Stade Marcel-Michelin two days ago.
Clermont had opened up a 10-7 lead, before leaking 22 unanswered points either side of the interval to leave them with it all to do at Welford Road this Saturday.
Even coming away with a win of any description seems a tall order for the visitors with the 7/1 in William Hill being the lowest odds on offer for that result. Given how the tie stands going into it, a bet on a winning margin for Leicester appears to be where the best value is to be found.
Second leg prediction: Leicester Tigers To Win By 11-15 Points At 13/2 with William Hill
Ulster v Toulouse
They still ended the game in disappointment, but Romain Ntamack’s converted try in the dying minutes of last weekend’s showdown between these two sides at Le Stadium could yet prove pivotal.
Ulster perfectly exploited having an extra man for large stretches of the contest as their thunderbolt winger Robert Baloucoune came away with a hat-trick of tries.
Dan McFarland’s Irish province bring a 26-20 cushion back to Belfast with them in spite of Ntamack’s heroics, but this is a game that could go right down to the wire.
Second leg prediction: Ulster/Toulouse in the Half-Time/Full-Time market at 11/2 with William Hill
April 17
Racing 92 v Stade Français
In the first part of a Parisienne derby at Stade Jean-Bouin last Saturday, Racing had the measure of the contest – securing a 22-9 triumph over Stade with the aid of a Gaël Fickou five-pointer.
In the only game to take place on Sunday, they will be aiming to avoid any catastrophes on their home turf of Paris La Défense Arena.
Champions Cup finalists in 2016, 2018 and 2020, it would be a major surprise if Racing didn’t make it through to the last-eight at the very least.
Second leg prediction: First Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half at 11/10 with William Hill