- Ulster win v Toulouse (17/10, Unibet, 888 Bet)
- Northampton win v Bordeaux-Begles (11/8, William Hill, Boyle Sports)
Northampton Saints’ fortunes have to turn around at some point but the question is when.
Chris Boyd’s side go into Friday’s match against Bordeaux-Begles on the back of a nine-match losing run and desperately in need a change of scene for a pick-me-up,
The Premiership’s bottom club looked for all the world like they were going to stop the rot at Bristol last weekend but they lost 18-17 with the last kick of the game.
They can take heart from a much-improved performance though, and also an impressive record against French opposition in Europe. Only twice in 12 outings against sides for across the channel have the 2000 Heineken Cup winners lost.
Bordeaux-Begles don’t have much pedigree at this level, and were in the Challenge Cup last season, reaching the quarter-finals, where they lost to Bristol.
Last season’s Top 14 table-toppers, in a season cut short by COVID-19, are currently to ranked eighth in the league. They last four games have all been relatively close, with wins against Castres and Montpellier and defeats to Stade Francais and Racing 92.
A weak defensive outfit like Saints is just the type of opposition that Santiago Cordero can rip apart with his trickery and pace and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Argentinian on the scoresheet (7/4 Betway, anytime try-scorer).
However, we think that Saints might sneak this one, and give the couple of thousand fans in attendance at Franklin’s Gardens a day to remember.
Kingspan fortress
Two in-form teams come together at the Kingspan Stadium in Ulster and Toulouse
Ulster have won all eight of their PRO14 games and their unbeaten home record stretches to 25 matches.
However if ever there was a team to test that resolve it’s Toulouse.
With the likes of Cheslin Kolbe ripping it up on the backs and the monstrously good Joe Tekori in the pack, Toulouse are not surprisingly one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition.
The five-time European Cup winners were ranked in the bottom tier of seeds based on the fact they were seventh when the Top 14 was cancelled last March, and that has seen them handed a tough draw, with reigning champions Exeter their other pool opponents.
Realistically, Toulouse need to beat Ulster home and away and pick off the Chiefs at home if they are to harbour hopes of making it through to the last eight, so they’ll be going to Belfast with plenty of intent.
Ulster are, however, kings at keeping possession, much like Exeter, and we’re backing their game-management skills to limit the quality ball that Toulouse receive.
It’s another tight one to call but Ulster at 17/10 looks decent value.
