The second round of the important back to back games are coming up. Here are my Champions Cup round 4 predictions.
How did your round 3 predictions go?
7 from 10, got the 50:50s but missed the upsets.
Northampton Saints v Racing Metro 92
I thought that Saints were starting to find their mojo but they suffered a big loss away to Racing. I wonder how much of a distraction/disruption it’s going to be having Alex King leave to work with Eddie Jones? With those thoughts in mind and with Racing riding high in the Top14 im going for an away win.
Racing Metro 92 by 10
Saracens v US Oyonnax
Saracens are the only team that are still unbeaten in both their league and European competition. In contracts Oyonnax are bottom of the Top14. This should be an even bigger win for the Londoners this weekend.
Saracens by 40
Bath v Wasps
Bath pulled off a surprise victory over Wasps last weekend. It’s something we know the team are capable of but they haven’t shown it this year. Wasps have had some big wins and that will have fatigued them emotionally. I am expecting another tough tight battle and I’m backing the home side narrowly.
Bath by 3
Stade Francais v Benetton Treviso
Put simply Treviso are the weakest side in this competition. Stade should win by more at home, than the 33 points they did away.
Stade Francais by 40
Leinster v Toulon
Leinster are a shadow of their former selves and are effectively out of Europe already. Toulon are still nowhere near their best, especially up front, but should get an away win.
Toulon by 10
Bordeaux Begles v Ospreys
Ospreys are starting to come good and get all their players reintegrated. The won by a narrow margins at home but away in France it’s different. Bordeaux, with two losses, need to win this to have any chance of progressing. At home I think Bordeaux should reverse last weekend’s result.
Bordeaux Begles by 3
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
Scarlets have been going well this season and top the Pro12. However with three losses this tournament is already over for them. So I expect they will rest players and Warriors will take a comfortable victory.
Glasgow Warriors by 15
Toulouse v Ulster
Ulster put in an impressive shift to knock Toulouse out of their stride. I’m expecting a big reaction from Toulouse who sit second in the Top 14. So I like many others think that the home side will be able to reverse the result even though they were nilled.
Toulouse by 5
Clermont Auvergne v Exeter Chiefs
Exeter were another side to put in a statement performance. It shows however they have progressed in the last couple of years since these two teams last faced each other. Clermont’s home isn’t the impenetrable fortress it used to be but its still a hard place to go. I think the Top 14 leaders will secure a home win.
Clermont Auvergne by 10
Leicester Tigers v Munster
Tigers inflicted a rare home defeat on Munster last weekend. This is s continuation of fine form this season brought about by a freshening up of the coaches. Munster are doing ok in the Pro12 but are another Irish province in transition and with question marks over the coaches. I can only see a home win here.
Leicester Tigers by 15
So these are my predictions, how do you see it going? Let me know below.
