Leinster vs Saracens
19th September 1500hrs
Rugby – Ireland – Heineken Cup
Pick Leinster -10 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September
The quarter finals of the Heineken Cup are here and Saracens have a tough away game on their hands here.
This is a repeat of last season’s Heineken Cup Final in which Saracens collected a 20-10 win.
But Saracens are the underdogs for this one against the 2020 Pro14 Champions Leinster. This should be a tremendous battle at the Aviva.
Table of Contents
Leinster Preview – In-form Leinster to earn revenge over Saracens?
Leinster will be out to get one over Saracens for their defeat in last season’s European Champions Cup Final against them.
They are running in top form at the moment are Leinster who recently beat Ulster 27-5 in the Pro 14 Grand Final.
That completed a hat trick of wins for them in the tournament.
In the pool stage of this season’s Heineken Cup Leinster won all six matches against Lyon, Benetton and Northampton Saints, running up 28 tries in those six futures.
Gary Ringrose is the current joint-top try scorer in this season’s competition with six to his name and the captain is an 11/5 option in the anytime try scorer market* (odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September).
This is the third time in as many seasons that Leinster and Saracens are meeting in the European Champions Cup.
The opening match of those was a quarter final stage victory for Leinster in Dublin, the Irish side taking a 30-19 victory.
Leintser have won three of the four previous matches with Saracens in Europe.
Their record in the quarter finals is pretty handy as well, as Leinster have won eight of their last nine matches at this stage.
They are long odds-on favourites in the match outright and a Leinster -10 handicap is at 5/6* (odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September).
Saracens Preview – Can Sarries rally themselves?
Saracens, the reigning European Champion, have gone off the boil a little bit. They have lost two of their last three Premiership games.
So unless they have been trying to save themselves for this big challenge, then they are looking justifiable underdogs at 10/3* (odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September).
In the pool stage of this season’s European Champions Cup, Saracens posted a W4 L2 record, finishing well behind Racing 92.
Of the eight quarter finalists, Saracens were the ones who qualified with the fewest amount of points which is why they got this tough draw against Leinster.
How much is that going to work against them in their title defence on the weekend?
A Saracens +10 handicap is at the even money mark* (odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September).
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Saracens have won all but two of their last nine quarter final Heineken Cup fixtures, but they are usually going into it as pool stage winners, therefore getting an easier draw.
In this season’s campaign they have posted only three tries within the opening 20 minutes of matches, well down on the eight produced by Leinster in that period.
So if the English Premiership side get off to a slow start, then it is going to be an extremely long way back for them.
Leinster vs Saracens Betting Advice
Saracens are all for nothing in the European Champions Cup this season. With relegation looming from the Premiership, they will desperately want to hang on to their Heineken Cup crown.
They did a great job of shutting down the threat of Leinster in last season’s final, but we can’t see a repeat of the outcome happening here.
It’s reasonable enough to assume that they have held back in Premiership games for this, but this is a formidable ask for them at the Aviva.
Their job is not made any easier by the absence of Owen Farrell who is banned.
Key Facts – Leinster vs Saracens Betting Tip
- Leinster have won 3 of their 4 European meetings with Sarances
- Leinster lost last year’s European Champions Cup Final against Saracens
- Saracens have won 7 of their last 9 quarter final matches, Leinster 8 of their last 9
So we fancy the win for Leinster and as they have been quick starters to matches, we think that they can comfortably secure victory.
They have had another big season on the domestic front and can take their European campaign further.
Leinster 1-12 winning margin is at 7/5* (odds taken 23:05 GMT, Friday, 18th September).
The best betting odds for Leinster vs Saracens
Leinster to win: 2/9 at Bet365
Draw: 28/1 at Bet365
Saracens to win: 10/3 at Bet365
