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Magners League betting tips
Cormac O'Keeffe / 15 April 2010 Free Bet View Market
Cian Healy will be part of the frontrow as Leinster take on Ospreys in Friday's Magners League tie.
"I feel the Ospreys tiring schedule of playing Ulster on Tuesday a few days after their narrow defeat away to Biarritz means that this game comes a bit too soon for them."
Leinster v Ospreys
It is Leinster's pack and defence that has brought them so much success over the last couple of years and it will be tested to the full by a very strong Ospreys side with one the best backlines in Europe. The Ospreys have emerged as Leinster's main rivals for the league title after six wins in their last eight games and a home win here would all but secure the title for the Irish province.
Leinster have picked a strong side since their HC quarter final isn't for a few weeks, whilst the Ospreys have understandably made a number of changes to the side that beat Ulster in Tuesday. They are without Tommy Bowe and stars such as Mike Phillips, James Hook, and Ryan Jones have to settle for places on the bench. I feel the Ospreys tiring schedule of playing Ulster on Tuesday a few days after their narrow defeat away to Biarritz means that this game comes a bit too soon for them. That, combined with Leinster's incredible home record in this competition (13 wins in a row) and the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, should ensure that Leinster cement their place at the top of the league.
Glasgow v Ulster
Ulster's loss to the Ospreys on Tuesday, where they failed to even secure a losing bonus point, meant that they have lost four games in a row and instead of pushing for a playoff place they are now struggling to secure a HC place for next season. They will probably be happy not to be facing Welsh opposition as their last five games have been against the Welsh sides and with three of those games being at Ravenhill a return of one draw and four losses is not acceptable and is mainly due to their old Achilles' heal - their defence. Glasgow have been impressive this season and have a great record at Firhill. Ulster have only won one of their last seven away matches in all competitions and on current form Glasgow should easily complete the double over Ulster having beaten them 25-13 at Ravenhill in December. Given Ulster's leaky defence and their streak of high-scoring matches I'm also going for over 3.5 tires.
Connacht v Munster
The race for the final play-off spot is really hotting up with only one point separating Munster, Edinburgh, and Glasgow from third to fifth place in the table. Munster will be keen to take a big step towards securing a play-off berth before their HC semi-final in a couple of weeks. Connacht are always tough to beat and have the incentive of trying to catch Ulster and therefore qualify for the HC for the first time.
Connacht are in great form in this competition and have secured a semi-final place in the Challenge Cup to boot. They have only lost once in their last five games and incredibly they have not lost at home since September. They were unlucky not to beat Leinster in the RDS last month and will have high hopes of repeating last year's shock win over Munster at the Sportsground. However, their record against Munster is woeful; having only beaten their Southern rivals once in their last 32 meetings and Munster should have enough to secure only their second away victory in this year's competition. I expect a close low-scoring game that Munster should just edge. I recommend backing under 3.5 tries and Munster to win by 1-6 points.
Recommended Bets
Leinster.
Glasgow.
Glasgow v Ulster - over 3.5 tries.
Munster by 1-6 points.
Connacht v Munster - under 3.5 tries.
