We’ve checked out the European Rugby Champions Cup odds and have made four predictions on this weekend’s quarter-final ties, with a near 7/2 pay-out coming our way if all are successful.
Leinster to beat Wasps @ 1/2
Leinster have a proud tradition in this tournament, lifting the trophy in 2009, 2011 and 2012, and they will have a big home support at Aviva Stadium, where Ireland ended England’s Grand Slam dreams. The hosts have improved since losing twice to Wasps during a transitional period last season and have a tight enough defence to prevent the visitors from playing the free-flowing rugby they prefer. If it comes down to a battle of the fly-halves, we’ll take the precision of Jonny Sexton over the flair of Danny Cipriani.
Munster to beat Toulouse @ 11/50
Thomond Park will be rocking for a repeat of the 2008 final, which Munster managed to win 16-13. The visitors were involved in some tight tussles during the group stage, but narrow away defeats against Connaught and Wasps highlight why they have always been regarded as vulnerable on the road. Munster comfortably accounted for Glasgow, Leicester and Racing 92 at this venue in their pool and being allocated Irish referee JP Doyle for this quarter-final can hardly hamper their chances of advancing.
Glasgow +13 at Saracens @ 91/100
Glasgow played some great rugby during the group stage and a 43-0 win at Leicester in the final round of fixtures shows they are not afraid of travelling down to England. An above average Six Nations for Scotland will have lifted spirits among this talented young squad and we are backing them to at least be competitive at Allianz Park after reaching the last eight for the first time. The Warriors will not be fazed by the artificial pitch as they also play on a synthetic surface at Scotstoun.
Clermont to beat Toulon @ 7/25
Clermont will be seeking revenge for losing to Toulon in the 2013 and 2015 finals of this competition and home advantage is expected to help them achieve that feat. After being edged out 23-21 on the road when these teams met in the Top 14 this season, Clermont prevailed 30-6 in the reverse fixture and they were far more consistent during the group stage of this event, qualifying as top seeds, whereas Toulon only just scraped through as one of the best runners-up after losing half of their six games.
