By Wellsaint
December 6 2002

After a one week break (sorry to my loyal reader) Wellsaint is back with the predictions for this weekend's Heineken European Cup games. Due to time constraints I have not been able to go into much detail. My thoughts for this week.

Friday night

Munster v Viadana. Munster are 37 to 48 point favourites. May well beat the spread but a lot of points to give up. No bet.

Ulster v Biarritz. Ulster can be backed receiving 3 points with the Tote (minimum trebles) or Biarritz with 2 points with Chandler or Sky Bet. Whatever. Ulster to win by ten to twelve.

Sale v Llanelli. Llanelli receive 5 (8 from the Tote). Difficult one to call, if forced I would just favour Llanelli with the points.


Saturday

Calvisano v Neath. Neath giving up between 16 and 22 points. Beziers beat Calvisano in Italy by 16. Neath will win and the handicap line is about right therefore no bet.

Swansea v Bristol. Bristol are coming back to form and are asked to give up between 4 and 7. This should be within their compass. Bristol to beat the handicap line and win by around ten to twelve points.

Newport v London Irish. London Irish are 2 to 5 point favourites for this game. But they are also maddeningly inconsistent (many a bet has gone down with them as the banker or not this year). My call would be Irish by less than a score and therefore I would be prepared to give up 2 but probably not 5.

Edinburgh v Toulouse. Toulouse are 3 to 6 point favourites and I would fancy Toulouse to edge this game, although I am not sure about giving up six points. Again I would be prepared to give up 3 but not 6.

Montferrand v Leinster. Montferrand are not having the most successful of seasons and receive a five to eight point start here from Leinster. Again not the most tempting of bets but I would take the points on offer here. Montferrand to just edge it.

Saints v Cardiff. Saints are 13 to 16 point favs. My prediction was a 15 point win. Therefore it looks like a no-bet situation.


Sunday


Gloucester v Perpignan. Gloucester are 16 to 18 point favourites for this game and again I feel this may be close to the mark. If forced I would probably side with the visitors keeping the winning margin below 18.

Beziers v PCP 57s. PCP 57s are (get this) 3 to 6 point favourites for this game. No surprise therefore when I say get on Beziers. Margin of victory – who cares. Just so long as they win.

Bourgoin v Glasgow. Bourgoin receive 11 to 16 points start and I feel that this is a generous start. Glasgow to win but not cover the points.

Good luck with your bets this week and

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!

PS Good luck to all the walkers tomorrow.