Leinster may struggle to pull clear of dogged Bath

Leinster v Bath

BT Sport 2, 5.30pm Saturday

Bath gave a good account of themselves in a 17-10 defeat to European champions Leinster last weekend and they can put up another fight in the return in Dublin.

It's a safe bet that Leinster will be fired-up back on home soil after a frustrating performance at Bath following defeat in Toulouse in round two.

But Bath's hardworking pack showed they were prepared to front up last week and with minimal changes to either side plus rain forecast for most of the day, this may be closer than the hefty handicap.

Recommendation
Bath +23
2pts 10-11 Betway

Castres v Munster

BT Sport 3, 5.30pm

Munster came out on top of a scrappy contest at Thomond Park last week and although a 30-5 scoreline was comfortable enough by the end, they led just 6-0 at the break.

The Irish side are narrow favourites but look worth opposing against a Castres outfit who have repeatedly proved themselves to be tough to crack at home.

Munster drew 17-17 at the Stade Pierre Fabre last season, and Leinster also had to settle for a draw there in 2017, and Castres are unbeaten in their last seven home pool matches in this tournament.

Recommendation
Castres +4
2pts bet365, Betway

Toulouse v Wasps

BT Sport 2, 3.15pm

Four-time European champions Toulouse are recreating their glory days with three pool wins out of three, including an impressive home defeat of Champions Cup holders Leinster.

Unbeaten in eight matches since the start of October, Les Toulousains have been ramping up their attacking play, hitting 40 points in their last two at home.

Opponents Wasps have been shaky in defence, shipping 31 tries in nine Premiership matches and going down 52-3 at Leinster in their only European away fixture, and they line up in Toulouse with a third-choice half-back pairing of Craig Hampson and Billy Searle.

A handicap in the high teens is justifiable, but Wasps retain plenty of attacking talent and rain is forecast so the hosts may not cut loose completely.

Recommendation
Toulouse to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 11-4 Betfair, Paddy Power

Cardiff v Saracens

BT Sport 3, 1pm

Saracens put 50 points on Cardiff at home last week but still weren't satisfied with their performance after they trailed 18-13 at the break, and the Blues can expect a backlash at the Arms Park.

But it should be hard-fought against a Cardiff side bolstered by the return of flanker Josh Navidi, and a wet and windy forecast fuels the feeling that this could be close and low-scoring.

Sarries look the likely winners - they have won five out of five on the road in all competitions this season but all have been by a margin of less than 12 points including a 13-3 success at Glasgow in round one of this tournament.

Recommendation
Saracens to win by one to 12 points
1pt 9-5 Betfair

Glasgow v Lyon

BT Sport 2, 1pm

Glasgow were narrow underdogs at Lyon last week but were well worth their 42-22 victory to leave their French opponents pointless at the bottom of the pool three table.

The Warriors are trailing behind pool leaders Saracens but look on course for a second-place finish and will target another bonus-point victory to bolster their chances of a quarter-final berth.

Expect a fast start from a vibrant Glasgow side, who were 20-10 up at the break in Lyon last week and led 15-0 at half-time in Cardiff in round two.

Recommendation
Glasgow -10 on first-half handicap
1pt 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

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