European Champions Cup predictions: rested Leicester stars can shine

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's European Champions Cup action.

Where to watch

Live on BT Sport from 1pm

Best bets

Leicester to beat Clermont by one to 12 points
1pt 6-4 bet365

Lyon +7 v Saracens
1pt Evs bet365

Preview

The introduction of South African teams into the Champions Cup provided several storylines in last weekend's opening round, but there's an old-school clash topping the bill in Saturday's second-round matches.

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Leicester and Clermont meet for a tenth time in this competition, and Leicester have won six of the clashes between the two including both legs of last season's round-of-16 tie.

Both teams opened with a victory but Leicester look to have made the better start as they won on the road and took the opportunity to rest some frontline players.

Internationals Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Julian Montoya are among those returning as head coach Steve Borthwick makes eight changes from the victory at Ospreys.

Former finalists Clermont are among the stronger travellers in the French contingent - last season they were beaten by ten points at Leicester and by three in Ulster while in the previous campaign they recorded wins at Bristol and Wasps.

They can keep things close again but a strong Leicester side should prevail at home.

Earlier in the day South African outfit the Bulls get a first taste of Premiership opposition as they travel to Exeter.

The Bulls opened up with a home win, beating Lyon 42-36 in an 11-try blowout in Pretoria, but conditions in south-west England will be very different and it's hard to know how the visitors will stand up.

Lyon have to pick themselves up from that defeat for a home clash with Premiership leaders Saracens, who were efficient if not ruthless against Edinburgh last week.

Sarries have named a strong team and are seven-point favourites but Lyon played some enterprising attacking rugby last week and could keep this close.

Only European Champions La Rochelle have won this season at Lyon, who beat Top 14 leaders Toulouse in their last home outing.

Ulster were blown away at Sale last week and face a huge test against champions La Rochelle, who ran in 46 points against Northampton last week.

The Ulstermen are four-point underdogs at home.

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