Castres v Montpellier predictions and rugby union tips: In-form Castres appeal

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for the final of France's Top 14 on Friday.

Where to watch

Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Castres to win by one to 12 points
1pt 7-5 bet365

Match preview

It was tight at the top in France's Top 14 and bookmakers are expecting a close-fought final at the Stade de France on Friday night.

Castres finished two points clear of opponents Montpellier at the end of the regular season and are the team in form, but there may not be much in it.

One of Castres' bigger wins this season was at home to Montpellier, which ended in a 25-9 victory, although they lost the earlier away clash 25-24.

In all, 11 of Castres' 17 victories came by a margin of no more than 12 points and backing another narrow success looks the best bet.

Castres are on a run of six straight victories, and four of those came by one to 12 points. The two exceptions came against the league's bottom two clubs Perpignan and Biarritz.

Montpellier had a far tougher run-in but lost three of their final four regular-season matches before edging Bordeaux 19-10 in the playoff semi-final.

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