Bristol Bears vs Bordeaux Begles
25th September 2020hrs
Rugby – England – European Challenge Cup
Pick Bristol -8 handicap
Bookmaker Ladbrokes
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September
This the semi-final of the European Challenge Cup and Bristol look to have a great chance of making it through to the final.
They were rampant in their quarter-final matchup as they powered past Dragons to make it through their second semi-final appearance in this competition.
It is French opposition in the form of Bordeaux-Begles that they will meet for a place in the final.
Table of Contents
Bristol Bears Preview – Bears looking good for a place in the final
The Bristol Bears put on a fantastic show of power in their semi final match against Dragons last weekend.
The English Premiership side put seven tries on the board in what was a one-sided romp that they won 56-17.
With some nice home advantage in this semi-final clash at Ashton Gate, it is Bristol who are the 2/7 odds-on favourites* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
In the pool stage of this season’s European Challenge Cup the Bristol Bears eased to a W5 D1 record.
They racked up a total of 27 tries in that campaign and impressively only gave up six.
That put them through to the quarter-finals as the second seed with only Toulon producing a better pool stage record.
Across all competitions, the Bristol Bears have won three of their last four and they have been scoring well in that sequence.
The Bears have tallied at least 35 points in each of their last four games (W3 L1).
They still have two games remaining in the Premiership as well where they are knocking on the door of a top-four finish, so this could be a very successful season for them.
This will be just the third meeting between the two teams in the Challenge Cup, having traded home wins in the 1999/2000 pool stage.
Bordeaux Begles Preview – Can the French side upset the odds at Ashton Gate?
The French side had a tighter semi-final match up than Bristol did, as Bordeaux earned a 23-14 win over Edinburgh Rugby at home.
Back in the pool stage of this season’s European Challenge Cup, Bordeaux topped it with a W5 D1 record.
So they are on a seven-match unbeaten streak in this season’s competition, just as Bristol are.
There are more similarities between them as well, because the French side haven’t been shy in putting tries on the board.
They scored a total of 28 in the pool stage which was the highest of all teams at that stage.
So the prediction for this one would be plenty of tries in a high-scoring fixture.
In total this season in the European Challenge Cup, Bordeaux have scored a total of nine tries from turnovers.
The French side are the 11/4 underdogs for this trip to Ashton Gate* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
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Bordeaux Begles have broken new ground this season as this is their first-ever visit to the Challenge Cup semi finals.
They have been impressive however and throughout this season’s competition have given up only one of their own tries.
Dipping into the handicap market for rugby betting in this one, a Bordeaux +8 line is at 10/11 odds* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
The French Top 14 league was won by Bordeaux this season, but that was completed in March.
They just kicked off their new season recently with an opening victory.
Bristol Bears vs Bordeaux Begles Betting Advice
The Bears are favourites for this one and we would have to side with them getting the win to reach the final.
So it is all about finding that value in the betting and there is certainly none in the match outright for rugby betting in this one.
What we have to ask ourselves is whether or not Bristol can cover a -8 handicap for a 10/11 quote?* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
Key Facts – Bristol Bears vs Bordeaux Begles Betting Tip
- Bristol Bears are in their second Challenge Cup semi-final
- Bristol Bears and Bordeaux are both unbeaten in this season’s competition
- Bordeaux Begles are in their first semi-final in the competition
We think that it is going to be tight but we can just get there to make it for that option.
Bristol are in very good shape at the moment and have the marauding Semi Radrada looking in imperious form.
They can battle their way past a French side who are lacking far more recent game time.
The best betting odds for Bristol Bears vs Bordeaux Begles
Bristol Bears to win: 2/7 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Bordeaux Begles to win: 11/4 at Bet365
