Saturday's European Champions Cup rugby predictions, odds & free tips

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

Gloucester v Montpellier

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Gloucester -16
1pt 10-11 bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Match preview

Despite winning only one of their opening four games, Gloucester can still sneak into the quarter finals.

Their path to the knockout stage would have been far more straightforward had they held on for victory away to Connacht last time out. The 27-24 reverse in Galway means a bonus point win is essential for the Cherry & Whites.

They will be confident of getting it as Montpellier have not won in England since 2013.

has been passed fit after being hurt in the Premiership win over Bath last weekend and he could pull the strings for a fourth straight home win for Gloucester.

Connacht v Toulouse

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 3.15pm Saturday

Match preview

Toulouse can book their place in the quarter-finals with victory in Galway but Connacht can give them a tough challenge.

The Irish province took the scalp of Toulouse in 2016 and have won their last six home games in this competition. Their fans will make it an intimidating atmosphere for Toulouse.

Toulouse have lost only twice in 15 pool matches since that defeat, but trips to Ireland have proved an Achilles heel for them - they have been unsuccessful on their last six trips including a 30-12 loss to Leinster in last season's semi-final.

Toulouse knowing they have the insurance of a home fixture against Gloucester next weekend to secure their place in the knockout stage if they can't get the job done this time.

It was a difficult festive period for Connacht in the Pro14, as they lost all three matches including heavy defeats to Ulster and Leinster. But they can often raise their game for big European occasions at home.

Glasgow v Exeter

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3.15pm Saturday

Best bet

Stuart Hogg to score a try
1pt 13-5 Paddy Power
Back this tip with Paddy Power

Match preview

Exeter Chiefs have progressed beyond the group stage only once but four wins from four games have given them a golden chance of making the quarter-finals in 2020.

However, a trip to Scotstoun to face Glasgow is the toughest assignment of their campaign so far. The Warriors were competitive for large parts of the first game against Exeter in Devon in November before succumbing to a 34-18 defeat.

After Glasgow won in France against La Rochelle, coach Dave Rennie was furious about their home defeat to the French side in their last European outing. That result makes this contest one they must win if the Warriors are to get through as one of the best runners-up.

Exeter will be hoping to get their qualification sorted before the final round of matches and they have taken 19 points from a possible 20 in their last three Premiership games.

Stuart Hogg returns to his former club and despite Glasgow's strong recent home record against English clubs, Exeter can give their supporters a rare trip to the knockout stages of a European competition.

Clermont v Ulster

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 1pm Saturday

Best bet

Clermont to win by one to ten points
1pt 13-8 Paddy Power
Back this tip with Paddy Power

Match preview

The clash between Clermont and Ulster is the tie of the weekend. Both teams are likely to progress to the knockout stages but the winners should go through with a home tie.

Ulster have won four from four including an 18-13 win over Clermont in Belfast in November, but last season's Challenge Cup winners are only one point behind Ulster despite losing one game.

Clermont have a formidable home record, having scored 53 points against Harlequins and 52 against Bath in their two home matches.

Ulster should provide a tougher test but it is hard to see past Clermont producing another strong attacking performance in front of their home supporters.

Dan McFarland would be delighted to take a losing bonus point back to Belfast with a home fixture against Bath to follow and Ulster fans should have a quarter-final to look forward to in April.

Ospreys v Saracens

Where to watch

BT Sport 3/Channel 4, 1pm Saturday

Best bet

Saracens -13
2pts 10-11 general
Back this tip with William Hill

Match preview

Despite making Premiership survival their main priority for the season, five points collected in two games against Munster has given defending champions Saracens a real chance of qualifying.

Having thumped Ospreys 44-3 at Allianz Park in November, Saracens are long odds-on to take the points in Swansea and set up a potentially decisive clash at home to Racing 92.

Ospreys' desperate season hit a new low on Boxing Day when they lost 44-0 to the Scarlets, but there were signs of improvement in a 25-18 loss to the Dragons last weekend and Alun Wyn Jones has returned from injury for this one.

Saracens have made a number of changes from the side who scored 62 points against Worcester last week, with Manu Vunipola getting another chance to impress from fly half. They should score a clear-cut victory.

Scarlets v Toulon (Challenge Cup)

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Saturday

Match preview

The top fixture in the Challenge Cup is at Parc y Scarlets, where the home side will be hoping to exact revenge after a heartbreaking 17-16 defeat in the reverse fixture.

Toulon have four wins from four in the pool and harbour hopes of reaching the final in Marseille, a venue they have used for home matches.

Scarlets know that one win from their final two games should be enough to secure a best runners-up spot. They would need an unlikely favour from Bayonne to topple Toulon even if they win this game.

Toulon have won ten of their last 11 pool games in the Challenge Cup, including their last seven in a row, but Scarlets are unbeaten at home in European competition since losing to Racing 92 in October 2018.

This looks a fascinating contest between two teams who could be a factor in the later stages of this competition.

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