Round 5 of the United Rugby Championship brings top clashes across Europe and South Africa, with the Bulls facing Glasgow, Ulster visiting the Lions, and the Stormers and Sharks both in action. Here’s a quick look at the weekend’s URC key fixtures, form, and best bets.
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Glasgow Warriors vs Bulls
Glasgow Warriors host the Blue Bulls this Friday for one of the most anticipated matches this season yet. Glasgow have made six changes to the team that beat Ospreys, with the Bulls welcoming back captain Ruan Nortje for a much-needed boost.
History favours the Bulls as they have won three of the last five outings between the teams, the last of which was a 26-19 win at the Scotstoun Stadium.
Expect a tight contest, with both teams entering the match with three wins out of four so far in the competition and only two points separating them in the standings.
Prediction: Blue Bulls to win at 1.23.
Best Bet: Under 49.5 total points at 1.68.
Lions vs Ulster
Emirates Airline Park welcomes an in-form Ulster side on Saturday, who are one of just three unbeaten teams left in the competition and are coming off a 34-26 upset win over the star-studded Sharks last weekend.
The Lions picked up their first win of the season over the Scarlets last weekend and will be eager to build on that result. The Irish side boasts a superior attack and defence as indicated by their league standings and will enter the clash as strong favourites.
Prediction: Ulster to win at 1.68.
Best Bet: Ulster -1.5 at 1.83.
Sharks vs Scarlets
The Sharks and Scarlets will both enter their match in Durban with a sense of desperation after failing to win a match so far this season.
Despite the Sharks’ nightmare start to the season, they will be determined to break their duck as they will be backed by their home-ground advantage and have only lost once in the four previous clashes between the two sides.
Back the Sharks to win this one, but they will have to deliver a solid defensive performance to shut out the visitors, who have conceded 20 points fewer.
Prediction: Sharks to win at 1.04.
Best Bet: Sharks -18.5 at 1.88.
Benetton vs Stormers
The in-form Stormers pay a visit to Italy to face Benetton at the Stadio Monigo and will look to extend their unbeaten winning run to five matches.
Expect the Stormers to aim to dominate territory, set-piece and use pace in wide channels, but will be mindful of the fact that Benetton have won both the previous matches between the teams at Stadio Monigo dating back to 2021.
Benetton are coming off an embarrassing 43-0 thrashing in Edinburgh and will look to bounce back, knowing that they have had success against the Stormers in recent meetings.
Prediction: Stormers to win at 1.56.
Best Bet: Highest scoring – 1st half at 1.84.
