Toulouse vs Bordeaux Bègles
1st May 1500hrs
Rugby – France – Heineken Cup
Pick Toulouse -13 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 05:49 GMT on April 23rd, 2021
We are on to the semi finals of the Heineken Cup and this is the first of them being played on the weekend.
Who will be the first to book their place in the showcase match?
The bookmakers have a clear picture of things for rugby betting as Toulouse are overwhelming odds-on favourites.
Will they spoil Bordeaux-Begles first-ever trip to the semi finals of the Champions Cup?
Table of Contents
Toulouse Preview – Will the favourite deliver?
Toulouse, who have plenty of experience at this high-pressure stage of the competition are strong favourites to win Saturday’s semi final.
They are four-time European Champions and they will face Bordeaux-Begles for the first time in European competition.
In the match outright for Heineken Cup rugby betting, Toulouse are a quote of 1/8 for the victory* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Toulouse have won three of their last four matches in all competitions.
In the Round of 16 Toulouse had a tough away fixture on their hands which was at Munster.
But they came through that tough trial 40-33 and then the waters were a little calmer for them in the quarter-finals.
They claimed a 21-12 win over Clermont, again away from home.
In the Top 14 this season Toulouse are currently leading the way by a five-point margin over La Rochelle and they are a major force to be reckoned with.
Toulouse beat Bordeaux-Begles at home in the league this season, by a comfortable 45-23 margin.
Toulouse have a big, favourable head to head going against Bordeaux-Begles.
They have won six of their last seven clashes against them in league action (L1).
They are undefeated in 10 previous home fixtures against them in the domestic top flight, with a W9 D1 record.
This is the 13th time that Toulouse have found themselves in the semi final stage of the Champions Cup.
They look as if they are going to be comfortable.
A Toulouse -14 handicap is at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Toulouse are led by the brilliant Antoine Dupont, who is the only scrum-half to score multiple tries in the competition this season.
Dupont has beaten at least twice as many defenders as any other scrum half in this season’s Heineken Cup.
Bordeaux Begles Preview – Can Bordeaux win their maiden semi?
Bordeaux-Begles have made a bit of club history by reaching the Heineken Cup semi final for the first-ever.
But they are 5/1 underdogs for the fixture on Saturday* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Can they pull off a sizable upset?
Bordeaux had a big fixture at home against Premiership leaders Bristol Bears in the Round of Sixteen.
They claimed an impressive 36-117 home success over Bristol.
That put them through to a tough Heineken Cup quarter-final against Racing 92.
They came through that trial 24-21 on home turf, securing an upset.
They are now on a five-match winning streak in the Heineken Champion Cup, which is their best ever run in the competition.
Bordeaux had only managed five wins in their 12 games before getting this winning streak going, and had lost seven of those.
So they are on the up it would seem, however this still looks like a very tall order.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
A Bordeaux Begles +13 handicap is at a quote of even money for Heineken Cup rugby betting* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
They are going to need their discipline to be it at its best because they have picked up 5 yellow cards in this season’s tournament. That’s more than any other side.
There has been an average of 15.5 penalties per match that they have given up in his competition.
That’s a hatful and not the kind of hand-outs that they can afford to give to Toulouse.
Bordeaux have a big weapon, because they have Matthieu Jalibert and he is the current top points scorer in this season’s Heineken Cup.
Toulouse vs Bordeaux Begles Betting Advice
Toulouse have a fantastic home record going at Bordeaux, an undefeated one at that. We expect that to continue.
They were comfortable in their home league game against Bordeaux in December.
That win was by a margin of 22 points.
A Toulouse -13 handicap at 10/11 is accessible we think* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
Key Facts – Toulouse vs Bordeaux Begles Betting Tip
- Toulouse are four time European champions
- Toulouse hold a W9 D1 record at home against Bordeaux-Begles
- Bordeaux Bègles have won their last five Heineken Cup matches
This is the first time for Bordeaux in the final four of the competition and Toulouse’s extra experience has to come into play.
They are the stronger of the two and we don’t see them really having a big scare.
A Toulouse 11-20 winning margin is at a quote of 11/4 as our big rugby betting option* (odds recorded 05:19 GMT on April 29th, 2021).
The best betting odds for Toulouse vs Bordeaux Begles
Toulouse to win: 1/8 at Bet365
Draw: 33/1 at Bet365
Bordeaux Begles to win: 5/1 at Bet365
