This weekend we see the reverse last weekend’s games but as teams change how many players they are resting it isn’t always a good guide. Here are my guesses sorry predictions for round 4 of the European lottery cup.
First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from around the globe last weekend.
How did the Round 3 predictions go?
7 from 10, not that bad considering even Treviso picked up a win!
Here’s my predictions and read below for my reasons.
Bath v Cardiff Blues
Cardiff got a big win last weekend over Bath. With a high number of injured players and the Premiership being such a target I’m expected another weakened side from Bath this weekend. Cardiff on the other hand are able to focus much more on this as they have slipped back in the Pro12. So I’m going for an away win but the selected sides could make a mockery of this prediction.
Cardiff Blues by 5
Stade Francais v Edinburgh
Edinburgh were part of the Pro12 resurgence last weekend with a narrow win over Stade. I think that home ground advantage will turn around the result but it will still be within a score.
Stade Francais by 3
Brive v Enisei-STM
Brive were the first team to beat Enisei in Russia this season. Having done that and with Enisei losing all their away games last season this should be a relatively comfortable home victory.
Brive by 15
Newport Gwent Dragons v Worcester Warriors
Dragons love a Friday night game and that’s exactly what this is. They went down away to Worcester last weekend but Warriors have players out injured and bigger fish to fry. Their relegation clash with Bristol is coming up and so I think their eyes will be looking that way and this one will slip.
Newport Gwent Dragons by 5
Pau v Bristol
Pau are having a poor season and all their attention will be on Top14 survival. With that in mind I think that Bristol could get another moral boosting win here ahead of their clash with Worcester.
Bristol by 7
Benetton Treviso v Bayonne
Travis did the unimaginable and won away in France last weekend! With all the French travelling stuff we talk about they should be looking to get a rare run of wins started in the return home ematch.
Benetton Treviso by 7
Ospreys v Grenoble
Ospreys thrashed Grenoble last weekend when the game had to be played a day late due to a frozen pitch. You have to feel sorry for the away fans that couldn’t stay 24 hrs and hopefully they will get to watch this weekend. Grenoble are another side that’s really struggling the Top14 and this should be a TBP home win.
Ospreys by 20
Harlequins v Timișoara Saracens
Last weekend I took flack on the Quins fan forum for only going for a 20 point win. They said 40 points was closer to the mark and that proved right. So I’m going for a 40 point margin this weekend.
Harlequins by 40
La Rochelle v Gloucester Rugby
Am I getting a bit carried away by Gloucester in this competition? Maybe but I think it brings their best out. La Rochelle have a great opportunity to go far in the Top14 this season and so I think that will be their focus too. So I’m going with an away win but in reflection I’m not so sure.
Gloucester Rugby by 5
Newcastle Falcons v Lyon
Falcons got downed by Lyon last weekend but Lyon are really 1 of those great home/poor away sides that you especially see in France. So I think that Falcons will gain revenge this weekend.
Newcastle Falcons by 5
#RugbyChat
Join the #RugbyChat on twitter for an hour of discussion reviewing the action on Tuesday. If you can’t make the hour then you can still give your view as the conversation keeps going over the following day.
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