Racing 92 vs Saracens
26th September 1300hrs
Rugby – France – Heineken Cup
Pick Saracens +3 handicap
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September
Saracens overcame a huge hurdle in the quarter finals last weekend, pulling off a huge underdog success to beat Leinster.
So the reigning champions are still looking to put a bit of shine on their season as they head to the final four.
They are on the road again as they make their way to France to face Racing 92 for a place in the showcase match.
Table of Contents
Racing 92 Preview – Racing the favourites to reach European final
Racing 92 came through an all-French affair in the quarter finals as they produced a 36-27 road success at Clermont.
They did have to hang on a bit at the end in that one as Clemrmont came back hard at them in the second period.
Racing 92 topped their pool in this season’s European Champions Cup with a W4 D1 L1 record, in a section with Saracens, Munster and Ospreys.
The French side traded wins in the pool stage with Sarries this season, both teams collecting their victories on home soil.
Racing 92 are 8/13 in the match outright for Saturday’s fixture to get the win* (odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September).
This is their third appearance in the semi finals of the competition and they have reached the final on both of their previous occasions.
Home form is huge at this stage of the competition and Racing have such a good record at the Paris La Defense Arena.
They have won seven of their last eight home games since moving to this venue, in the Heineken Champions Cup (L1).
That’s some record.
Racing have been to the final of the Champions Cup in two of the last four seasons, missing out on both of those.
The first, back in 2016 was at the hands of Saracens.
But the French side will take some stopping and -3 handicap on them is at 10/11* (odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September).
Saracens Preview – Can Sarries pull off another big upset?
Saracens proved last weekend that you can’t write them off. They are all out for glory in a title defence in the Champions Cup this season.
That would prove to be a massive bright point of the season for them.
They are getting relegated from the Premiership and will serve a European ban from next season of at least two years.
In their quarter final match last weekend, they went to the Aviva in Dublin to face Leinster, and Sarries were heavy underdogs.
But they held off a late surge by the hosts to claim a superbly impressive 25-17 win to defy their underdog odds.
That’s the same position as they are in this weekend as well because Saracens are the 11/8 underdogs in the match outright* (odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September).
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Saracens have won six of their last eight matches against Racing in the Champions Cup, so they do have some strong head to head form.
That includes the two previous knockout clashes.
Equally impressive is that Saracens have taken a win in 14 of their last 16 matches in the Champions Cup since the start of the 2018/19 season.
One of those losses was against Racing in round one of this season’s Pool stage.
There is a 10/11 quote on Saracens +3 for this and given the way that they played last weekend against Leinster, would you put it past them?* (odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September)
It is a four match winning streak in knockout stage matches in the competition and have won their last three semi finals in a row.
So the history is certainly there as they are back in this stage of the competition for the seventh time (W4 L3).
Racing 92 vs Saracens Betting Advice
What a game. Saracens defied some big underdog odds last weekend to get past Leinster, who were the last team to beat them in the knockout stage of the Champions Cup.
They have a good shot in this one as well, as the venue won’t be as intimidating as it would have been if it were full.
So Saracens look dialled in to try and defend their European title and they are saving their best for this campaign.
Key Facts – Racing 92 vs Saracens Betting Tip
- Racing 92 and Saracens traded home wins in the pool stage
- Saracens have won 10 of their last 11 knockout stage matches
- Saracens have won 14 of their last 16 matches in the tournament
The thing for Racing is that they are just not as match sharp as Saracens are at the moment. Their new domestic campaign has only just started.
In last weekend ‘quarter finals Clermont outscored them four tries to two, but it was the kicking of Teddy Iribaren that got them over the line.
They could be there for the taking and Saracens may just hold their own. Saracens 1-10 winning margin at 3/1* (odds taken 03:15 GMT, Thursday, 24th September).
The best betting odds for Racing 92 vs Saracens
Racing 92 to win: 8/13 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Saracens to win: 11/8 at Bet365
