Heineken Cup Betting Preivew Pool Games Rd 6

By Wellsaint
January 19 2003

The big day has arrived and qualification for the knockout stage of the Heineken Cup hangs on this final round of matches in the pool stages.

Wellsaint's Heineken Cup Betting Guide Pool Stage Round Six

Please note there are many games this week where I have made no
attempt to predict the winners, either because one team is definitely
through, or because neither team can go through. The only games that
the handicaps have been released on are tonight's two and the live TV
game tomorrow, and realistically, these are the games to concentrate on.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Pool Six

Ulster v Saints

The crunch match in Pool Six sees Saints travel to Ravenhill in search
of the victory which will make qualification for the knockout stage a
certainty. Can Saints do what so many sides have failed to do and get
a win in Belfast?

Rich has previewed this match extensively elsewhere on the site, and my
own view is that key injuries to Andrew Blowers and Budge Pountney may
make the difference. Certainly missing as many kicks as were missed
last week will not be an option.

The betting on this game is a scratch start with most bookmakers. Sorry,
but I've long been of the opinion that this will be a difficult game for
Saints to win. I feel that we will qualify for the next round, but with
8 points and not 10. I predict a narrow win for Ulster, 3 or 4 points.


Pool Three

Glasgow v Llanelli

Llanelli have lost here three times, and need this to qualify for the
next round. I think they will win, provided that if they get onto a
decent lead, they hold onto it. The bookies have Llanelli down as 7
point favourites. I think Llanelli may beat the line narrowly, say a
win by 10 points.


SATURDAY'S GAMES

Pool One Games

Leicester are the only team that can qualify from this group
and I expect them to beat Neath easily (by 20 points) to secure home
advantage. The Beziers - Calvisano game is a dead rubber and should be
disregarded for betting purposes.


Pool Two Games

Munster v Gloucester

The only other game where I have details of the betting, Munster are 3
point favourites to beat Gloucester. I think Munster will win the game
and cover the margin (in fact I think the margin is a snip) but they
will not win by far enough to secure qualification for the next round.

Viadana v Perpignan

Perpignan will win by a cricket score. Can't see they will be much of
a betting proposition.


Pool Three Game

Bourgoin v Sale

Whether this match really means a great deal will depend on the result
of the match in Glasgow on Friday night. At this stagem I expect
Bourgoin to win but would not be prepared to bet until I know the
Glasgow result.


Pool Four Games

Swansea v Montferrand

Meaningless game - no bet advised.

Bristol v Leinster (Sunday)

Bristol can qualify if they steamroller Leinster. They won't.
Difficult game to predict though, as Leinster are already through.
Therefore I'm giving this one a swerve.


Pool Five Games

Another pair of games where no bet is advised: Toulouse are already
through, and the Newport - Edinburgh match is a dead rubber.

Pool Six Game

Biarritz v Cardiff

Biarritz will in all probability steamroller Cardiff but it could all
be for naught, so no bet advised until after tonight's game in Belfast
if at all.


Recommended bets

Ulster level - ten point win
Llanelli -7 - five point win
Munster -3 - ten point win*

Three point treble above three

*Only strike this bet if one of the other two selections loses.

Good luck with your bets this weekend...

and...

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!