European Champions Cup: Saturday's betting preview, free tips & TV details

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Champions Cup games.

Leinster v Northampton Saints

Where to watch

Channel 4 and BT Sport 2, 5.15pm Saturday

Best bet

James Lowe to score two or more tries
1pt 3-1 Paddy Power

Match preview

Leinster's 43-17 win at Franklin's Gardens last weekend was the eye-catching result of round three and another bonus-point win against Northampton would give the Irish side one foot in the quarter-finals.

They are the top-scoring team in the Champions Cup with 13 tries in three matches and James Lowe caused the Saints plenty of problems in the first meeting.

While they are flying high in the Premiership, Northampton were given a reality check last weekend as to the standard of the top teams in the Champions Cup.

They conceded 60 points on their last visit to Dublin in 2016 and another tough evening could be in store.

Glasgow v La Rochelle

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 5.15pm Saturday

Best bet

Glasgow to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 12-5 Ladbrokes

Match preview

Glasgow's impressive comeback in France last weekend means they have a real shot at making the knockout stages. Having been 18-6 down at one stage the Warriors prevailed 27-24.

La Rochelle, coached by former Ireland fly half Ronan O'Gara, have named an experimental side for this one with their focus turning to Top 14 after three straight defeats in the Champions Cup.

A bonus-point win is essential for Glasgow if they are to maintain the pressure on pool leaders Exeter before the teams meet in the new year.

Saracens v Munster

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Saracens to win by one to ten points
1pt 23-10 Betfair

Match preview

Reigning champions Saracens have recalled their England stars for their must-win showdown with Munster at Allianz Park and it could be enough to secure a Champions Cup victory.

Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly and Billy Vunipola are among the returning stars after Saracens opted to name a weakened side for their fixture in Limerick which Munster won 10-3.

Saracens know that, despite suffering two defeats already in the pool, they will have a great chance of going through if they can beat the Irish giants as they still have Racing 92 to play at home.

These teams are familiar opponents having clashed in the semi-final last season when Saracens won 32-16 at the Ricoh Arena. Saracens have seven survivors from that match while Munster have nine.

This is a tough challenge for Munster against a Sarries side who have lost only one of their last 16 home Champions Cup pool matches.

Montpellier v Toulouse

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 3pm Saturday

Match preview

Toulouse were comfortable 23-9 winners in the first meeting but, like with many French sides, Montpellier are expected to be much stronger with home advantage.

They have never lost to French opposition in a home Champions Cup match but Toulouse will arrive full of confidence having won nine of their last ten pool matches in this competition.

Connacht v Gloucester

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 12.45pm Saturday

Best bet

Gloucester +5
1pt Evans Hills

Match preview

Whoever loses this clash in Galway will be out of the running for the quarter-finals. Connacht have suffered back-to-back defeats and missed out on a losing bonus point at Gloucester last Sunday. That 26-17 victory propelled the Cherry & Whites into second place in the group, although it was their first win in five matches in all competitions.

The Sportsground is a notoriously tricky place for away sides in Europe but Gloucester were the last side to taste victory there in March 2018 in a Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Gloucester were dominant in the pack last weekend with Jake Polledri once again impressive. If the Italian international has another big day then Johan Ackermann's side could spring a surprise.

Benetton v Lyon

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 12.45pm Saturday

Match preview

Lyon got their first ever Champions Cup victory in the home leg last weekend but Benetton are a stronger proposition at home.

Despite a dreadful European record of 34 defeats in their last 36 matches, Benetton have performed better this season and were unlucky to be on the wrong end of a high-scoring match against Northampton in round two. This is a big opportunity for them to register four points.

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