Toulon vs Leicester
26th September 2000hrs
Rugby – France – European Challenge Cup
Pick Leicestser +10 handicap
Bookmaker betfair
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September
Leicester are somewhat surprise semi-finalists in the European Challenge Cup, and the Tigers are underdogs for their match on the weekend.
They will be taking on the powerful Toulon for a place in this year’s final against either Bristol or Bordeaux.
The French side may take some stopping, however, with home advantage on their side.
Table of Contents
Toulon Preview – Toulon hot favourites for a place in the final
It was a perfect campaign from Toulon in the pool stage of this season’s European Challenge Cup, the only side to pull that off.
So they went through after topping their section over Scarlets, Bayonne and London Irish.
That put them through to a quarter final match against the second-best runner up, which was Scarlets from their pool.
It was an enthralling clash though between the two sides last weekend, the Welsh visitors giving a Toulon a scare, but going down 11-6.
Toulon are long odds-on favourites for this one at 2/11 in the match outright so are of no value there at all* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
The new season of the French Top 14 just kicked off recently and from their opening two games, Toulon have taken a W1 L1 record.
It was their opener at La Rochelle that they lost.
Toulon have met Liecestesr three times before in European competition and have taken W2 L1 record for those.
Those were all meetings in the European Champions Cup however, this being the first time they have been paired in the Challenge Cup.
Toulon have won each of their last four matches against English Premiership teams which moves them on a W7 L10 record against English opposition.
Leicester Preview – Tough match ahead for the Tigers
The Tigers were due to meet Castres last weekend in their European Challenge Cup quarter final tie.
However, the French side were forced to forfeit the game after the game was cancelled.
So they got a break there, so will they be able to make the most of this opportunity on Saturday, from a position of 15/4 underdogs?* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September)
Not only are they playing one of the pre-tournament frontrunners in this final four match, but Leicester’s recent record against French clubs isn’t great.
They have won only one of their last six fixtures against teams from the Top 14 in European competition.
That one victory in the sequence for the Tigers this season did come in this season’s pool stage when they hammered Pau at Welford Road.
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Given the amount of struggles that Leicester have produced in the Premiership this season, this is a massive opportunity in front of them.
In the Premiership, they have produced fewer tries of all teams there but last time out they put a good win on the board over Northampton, ending a three-match losing streak.
No team in this season’s competition have scored more tries in the first quarter of matches than Leicester. The Tigers have also only conceded two second-half tries as well.
So a Leicester +10.5 Half Time Handicap No Draw option is reasonable at 10/11* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
However, overall for 80 minutes, it’s going to need a massive effort away from home to get the win.
Toulon vs Leicester Betting Advice
Leicester have been poor in their recent matches, having given up at least 40 points in three of their last four fixtures played.
Maybe they have been saving their best for European action this season and they got a lucky break last weekend with a bye to the semi finals.
But this is no easy game for the Tigers and we don’t see them getting out of it successfully.
Key Facts – Toulon vs Leicester Betting Tip
- Toulon are in the semi finals for the third time
- Toulon are W2 L1 against Leicester
- Leicester have won only one of their last six against Toulon
Toulon aren’t as match-sharp overall as Leicester are, with their new season on the domestic front getting underway.
They struggled to shake off the attention of Scarlets in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup last weekend as well.
But still, with home advantge, we would have to swing with a Toulon 1-12 winning margin at 17/10* (odds taken 23:13 GMT Wednesday, 23rd September).
The best betting odds for Toulon vs Leicester
Toulon to win: 2/11 at Bet365
Draw: 33/1 at Bet365
Leicester to win: 15/4 at Bet365
