European Rugby Champions Cup: rugby union predictions and betting tips for Saturday's matches

Saturday's European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures & TV details

Saracens vs Clermont
Premier Sports 2, 1pm

Bulls vs Bordeaux
Premier Sports 2, 3.15pm

Leinster vs Harlequins
Premier Sports 1, 5.30pm

La Rochelle vs Leicester
Premier Sports 2, 5.30pm

Bath vs Munster
Premier Sports 1, 8pm

Scarlets vs Bristol
Premier Sports 2, 8pm

Best bets

Saracens to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 3-1 bet365

Bath to win by one to 12 points
1pt 12-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Bristol -8
2pts 10-11 general

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Saturday's European Rugby Champions Cup predictions

Saracens vs Clermont predictions

Both these clubs have strong European pedigrees but have struggled to live up to it in recent seasons, and both exited at the round-of-16 stage last season, having won two and lost two of their pool matches.

These teams met in the 2017 final when Sarries triumphed 28-17, but they also faced each other in the pool stage the following season and Clermont gained revenge, winning both ties including a 46-14 hammering in London.

The French side aren't at that level eight years on and Saracens have been scoring freely at home. A handicap in the teens looks reasonable and backing a home win by 11 to 20 points offers a decent price.

Saracens to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 3-1 bet365

Bulls vs Bordeaux predictions

Holders Bordeaux face a tough trip to Pretoria in their opener, and while the South African teams notably underperformed last season, the hosts do have some of their internationals straight back in action including Handre Pollard at fly-half.

A star-studded Bordeaux line-up includes dangerous France backs  Damian Penaud, Yoram Moefana and Louis Bielle-Biarrey and they will be happy with summery conditions in Pretoria. This could turn into a high-scoring clash.

Leinster vs Harlequins predictions

Quins were seen off 62-0 when they last visited Leinster in the knockout stage last season so it's no surprise to see a handicap in the 30s.

Leinster haven't yet hit their dominant best in the United Rugby Championship and are sixth with three wins and three defeats, but they are able to name the strongest line-up they have put out this year, including New Zealand back Rieko Ioane, who could make his debut off the bench.

Harlequins have held back a number of frontline players and this is likely to be a pretty one-sided affair, but the handicap is high enough.

La Rochelle vs Leicester predictions

Leicester Tigers have named a fairly young side for this trip to France and are without a number of their big-name internationals.

La Rochelle are languishing in tenth place in the Top 14, and although they are only five points behind fourth-placed Stade Francais in a congested mid-table, they have lost their last three games including at home to Castres.

The French side were around 12-point favourites before teams were named but the Tigers' decision to field a second-string team in some positions has pushed the line up closer to 20.

Bath vs Munster predictions

There's another big Anglo-Irish showdown at the Rec and Bath, with a strong team out and buoyed by last week's win at Saracens, can come out on top.

Premiership champions Bath are top of the table in England again but Munster are also flying high in the United Rugby Championship and have held their own in some dogfights in this campaign.

It could be close but Bath, with Scotland fly-half Finn Russell pulling the strings, should edge it.

Bath to win by one to 12 points
1pt 12-5 Coral, Ladbrokes

Scarlets vs Bristol predictions

Scarlets are bottom of the United Rugby Championship table with just one win this term and a strong Bristol line-up look to have too much firepower for the ailing Welsh side.

Rain is forecast for most of the day but it should clear by kick-off, and Bristol backs Louis Rees-Zammit, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Kalaveti Ravouvou are the spearhead of a dangerous attacking unit.

A depleted Scarlets side pulled off a shock 23-0 win over Glasgow last week to chalk up their first win but a single-figure handicap looks within Bristol's reach.

Bristol -8
2pt 10-11 general

Read more:

European Rugby Champions Cup: Tournament predictions, betting tips and odds 

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