United Rugby Championship action returns this weekend and Friday's game sees Edinburgh host the Sharks
Edinburgh v Sharks, Friday 18th April, Edinburgh, KO 20:35 (South African time)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Jonny Perriam (Scotland)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)
Weather Forecast, Edinburgh
Edinburgh:
In the URC Edinburgh are holding on to 8th position on a congested mid table log with a record of 6 wins and 8 defeats for 36 log points.
Edinburgh lost a Round 2 URC clash with the Bulls at Loftus (22-16) and were thumped 55-21 by the Lions in Joburg in Round 3. However they turned the tables on both of those South African sides in the Challenge Cup over the last couple of weeks, seeing off the Lions 24-12 in a Round of 16 home fixture before getting the better of the Bulls 34-28 in a home quarter final last weekend.
One other URC home game against South African opposition this season saw Edinburgh beat the Stormers 38-7 back in Round 4.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Edinburgh are 50/1 shots with WSB.
Sharks:
In the URC the Sharks are in fourth position with a record of 9 wins and 5 defeats for 45 log points. They are 5 points behind the third placed Bulls and 9 shy of Glasgow Warriors whilst log leaders Leinster are 17 points better off. Looking down they do have a 6 point cushion over fifth placed Munster. .
In their most recent URC outing the Sharks were beaten 10-7 at home to Leinster and since then they lost a Round of 16 Challenge Cup clash away to Lyon 34-21.
The rest of the URC regular season sees the Sharks remain in Europe for a trip to Ulster before returning to Durban for games against the Ospreys and the Scarlets.
In the outright betting the Sharks are 12/1 to win the URC title with WSB.
Team News
Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Harry Paterson, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Ross McCann, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price, 8. Magnus Bradbury, 7 Ben Muncaster, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassie, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikste, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 James Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Jurenzo Julius
The Betting,
Posted 17 April 22h22
Edinburgh +3.5 points at 9/10
Sharks -3.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 17 April 22h32
The Sharks opened +5.5 and the shrewdies got on early when it became clear a number of Boks would be returning. The line has moved steadily and now sits at Sharks -3.5 a full 8 points swing.
I have been burnt so many times by this Sharks team but looking at this team they surely should win but having missed the early value I am not going for them at current prices.
My interest here is that we get a scrappy game in potentially wet and most likely humid conditons.
Bet: 3 units under 50.5 points at 0.96/1 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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