Castres v Harlequins
11th December 1830hrs
Rugby – France – European Champions Cup
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 62/25 odds taken 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021
Reigning English champions Harlequins kick off their European season in the Heineken Cup on Sunday.
They have a tricky match on their hands as well as they have to hop across the Channel to face Castres.
The French Top 14 side have been in patchy form as of late, but they are not going to be a pushover on home soil. Quins will have a fight on their hands.
Table of Contents
Castres Preview – Castres can challenge Quins
Top14 side Castres will look to make the most of home advantage on the weekend against English champions Harlequins.
There has not been a great deal of consistency from them this season.
In their last ten matches in the French top flight, Castres have produced a W4 D1 L5 record.
There was a good victory for them in their last match, however.
Castres took a dominating 25 – 3 home success over Racing 92 in the league.
In the match outright for Sunday’s European Champions Cup contest against Harlequins, Castres are 17/10* (odds recorded 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021).
If we dial things into only their home form then the reading gets much better for them.
Castres are undefeated this year on home turf winning all but one of their fourteen matches there (D1).
That was a very commanding return and they could therefore at least make life tricky for Quins on the weekend.
Castres have met Harlequins before in European action.
The two most recently went up against each other in the pool stage of the 2014/15 European Champions Cup.
The French side lost both of those encounters, including a 19 – 47 home defeat.
But they had previously gone undefeated in four European matches against the English side (W3 D1).
The biggest ever European win that Castres have produced came against Quins in 2005.
A Castres +5 handicap for Saturday’s rugby betting is at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021)
Harlequins Preview – Can Quins get off to a strong start?
Harlequins started their title defence in the Premiership in fine fashion this season.
They won their first three matches and four of their opening five of the campaign.
But they have lost their way a little bit recently, slipping to a W3 L5 record in their last eight matches in all competitions.
There have been back to back league defeats for Harlequins against London Irish and Leicester Tigers.
But to their credit Quins went close in both of those, losing by no more than three points in either defeat.
Looking at the European Champions Cup rugby betting odds for the weekend, Harlequins are the 1/2 odds on favourites* (odds recorded 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021).
A good strong start on the road will set them up well in the pool stage.
The other team that Harlequins meet in the Heineken Cup pool stage this season is Cardiff.
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Harlequins have suffered defeat in each of their last five matches against Top14 teams, which doesn’t make for great reading.
The last time that they actually won away against a French team was when they beat Castres in January 2015.
They will be looking for a big improvement on the European front this season.
Harlequins didn’t get past the pool stage last season, losing to Munster and Racing 92.
Quins have lost three of their last four matches played on the road in all competitions.
This doesn’t look like a cut and dry deal for them on the weekend.
Castres vs Harlequins Betting Advice
This one may be a lot closer than even the rugby betting odds suggest for this contest.
Castres have done tremendously well at home this season, having remained undefeated.
So there could be a chance for them to pull out a small upset in this match and they are a quote of 17/10 to do that* (odds recorded 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021).
Key Facts – Castres vs Harlequins Betting Tip
- Castres are W3 D1 L2 in the head to head with Harlequins
- Castres are unbeaten in all competitions at home in 2021
- Harlequins have lost three of their last four away matches in all competitions
Harlequins haven’t been picking up the result that they would have wanted recently.
But they did push Leicester Tigers close last weekend and even though they look slightly vulnerable on the weekend, the margins are likely to be tight.
A Castres +5 handicap at 10/11 certainly has the appeal for a bit of coverage* (odds recorded 11:32 GMT on December 9th, 2021).
The best betting odds for Castres vs Harlequins
Castres to win: 17/10 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Harlequins to win: 1/2 at Bet365
