Investec Champions Cup Predictions – Quarter-finals

Last weekend’s Round of 16 lived up to the hype, with entertainment and high drama aplenty. It marked the end of the road for eight title hopefuls, including the last two South African teams in the European top flight, as both the Stormers and Bulls suffered narrow away losses. 

When the dust settled, three French teams, three English sides, one Irish outfit and one Scottish side remained in contention for the crown jewel of global club rugby.

An all-English affair will kick off the last-eight action as Bath battle the Northampton Saints at The Rec on Friday night.

Saturday offers a double dose of club rugby excellence, with the Warriors hosting Toulon in Glasgow and Leinster squaring off with the Sale Sharks in Dublin, before Bordeaux Begles and Toulouse face off in a colossal French derby at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday.   

Bath v Northampton Saints

Friday, 10 April – 21:00

Fresh off a hard-fought 31-22 derby win over Saracens, Bath will have to take down one of their own again to punch their ticket to the semi-finals.

Both Bath and the Saints came from behind to prevail last weekend, the former fighting back from 10-0 down at halftime to beat the three-time winners and the latter overturning a 12-0 deficit to defeat Castres 49-41. Both will therefore seek to get off to a better start under the lights on Friday night.

For last season’s treble winners Bath, they’re where they feel they belong, among the absolute best. However, knowing Johann van Graan, they won’t be patting themselves on the back. The ultra-ambitious bunch want to go all the way and have to get past last season’s runners-up to continue their quest.

The Saints aren’t sans substance, but they’re mainly entertainers. With the likes of Finn Russell and Henry Pollock in their ranks, that’s hardly a surprise. With more firepower up front and a greater balance to their game, Bath should get it done.

Prediction: Bath by 5.

Suggested Bet: Northampton Saints +10 at 1.90.

Glasgow Warriors v Toulon

Saturday, 11 April – 16:00

Glasgow are a rising force. United Rugby Championship winners two seasons ago and current log leaders, they’ve transferred that success over to the Champions Cup this season.

Franco Smith’s side are unbeaten and their 25-21 win over the Bulls last weekend will see them break new ground by hosting their first-ever Champions Cup quarter-final. Like Bath, the second seeds haven’t come this far just to come this far – they have the title in their sights.

Toulon have been solid rather than spectacular this season. Many feel the three-time champions are fortunate to still be in the title race after getting the rub of the green in their controversial 28-27 win over the Stormers last weekend.

Toulon haven’t exactly lit up fields and are in lowly 11th place in the TOP 14, but a team with their pedigree are not to be underestimated. That said, momentum is well and truly on the Warriors’ side, and it’s highly unlikely that they’ll squander it. 

Prediction: Glasgow Warriors by 9.

Suggested Bet: Toulon +10 at 1.90.

Leinster v Sale Sharks

Saturday, 11 April – 18:30

When it comes to this season’s quarter-finalists, the Sale Sharks stick out like a sore thumb. Whereas the others are dynasties or emerging giants, they qualified as 11th seeds and are seventh in the 10-team PREM.

They had the luck of the draw last weekend and made the most of not having to leave English soil, beating hosts Harlequins 26-17, but now they have to deal with the luck and class of the Irish in Dublin.

Chasing their fifth star, the reigning URC champions are powerhouses in every sense of the word. They were made to work for their 49-31 win by Edinburgh last weekend and have some polishing to do, but they’re poised to cruise into the final four.

Prediction: Leinster by 20.

Suggested Bet: Leinster -18 at 1.90.

Bordeaux Begles v Toulouse

Saturday, 12 April – 16:00

Wrapping up the weekend’s high-stakes action is a seismic showdown between French giants. It doesn’t get much bigger than this as the defending champions collide with the record six-time titleholders in a repeat of last season’s semi-final, which Bordeaux won 35-18.

Bordeaux have been imperious, backing up their triumphant campaign with a show of dominance to qualify for the knockouts as top seeds. They sent another message to their pack of hunters last weekend, running in nine tries and skinning the Leicester Tigers 64-14.

Toulouse uncharacteristically struggled in the pool phase but shifted into top gear last weekend, scoring nine tries of their own to batter the Bristol Bears 59-26. Early struggles aside, they are the most decorated club in the game and lead the TOP 14, so this should be an all-out battle.    

With their big-match DNA and world-class game drivers, Toulouse are juicy underdogs, but Bordeaux have all their bases covered and have slightly better synergy, which, along with home ground advantage, should keep their title defence alive. 

Prediction: Bordeaux Begles by 2.

Suggested Bet: Bordeaux Begles at 1.66.