Guinness PRO12 2014/2015: Round 17 Predictions

Cardiff Blues vs Connacht

First up we have Cardiff hosting the men from the West of Ireland. Cardiff will be looking to build on their win over Edinburgh last weekend. They’ve made six changes to the squad from last week, with Navidi and Cuthbert among those players returning to the squad. Connacht absolutely smashed Trevsio last weekend 53-5. That scoreline needs to be put in perspective however, since traditionally Treviso contribute a lot more players to their national side than Connacht do. The last time Connacht won here was in early 2013 but that was the first time in ten clashes and we know Connacht are normally poor in away games. Home side takes it for me.

Prediction: Cardiff by 5

Glasgow vs Zebre

Winning away at Munster during the Six Nations was always going to be a tough ask for Glasgow, but with the return of some key players from the Scotland squad this time around they’ll be chasing the coveted five league points from this clash with Zebre to take them back the top of the table. Meanwhile their opponents have cause to celebrate with their surprise win over the Dragons, only their third victory this season. That win ended a run of six defeats but even the most optimistic Zebre fan won’t be expecting a repeat performance this weekend. Glasgow should win this and win it well.

Prediction: Glasgow by 29

Ospreys vs Munster

This is an interesting match up and quite hard to call. Ospreys haven’t lost at Liberty stadium since this equivalent fixture last year. They got their revenge for that defeat when they beat Munster at Thomond Park earlier this season and are now chasing their first ever season double over the men in red. Munster are on a roll currently, top of the table with three wins and a draw in their last four matches. But Munster have only won three times in their last 11 matches at Liberty Stadium, although the welsh regions have been happy hunting grounds in recent times. Ospreys will be disappointed with the draw they got from their match against Leinster last week and will be looking to make amends, whereas Munster will be looking to push on from their win against Glasgow and maintain their position atop the table. It could easily go either way, but home advantage swings it for me.

Prediction: Ospreys by 5

Llanelli Scarlets vs Leinster

Scarlets gave a very good account of themselves last weekend losing by only five points to Ulster in Belfast, buoyed by that performance they’ll go into this game against current champions Leinster with confidence. Leinster’s season has been a bumpy one by their own lofty standards, yet they’re still in there, clinging onto that fourth play-off spot with Ospreys breathing down their neck. Two weeks on the road with a chopping and changing line-up of players will unsettle any team, and I’m betting this will work in Scarlets favour.

Prediction: Scarlets by 3

Benetton Treviso vs Edinburgh

Treviso will be looking to put last weekend’s thrashing by Connacht behind them before the PRO12 goes on a break and this match against Edinburgh is their best chance of doing that. They’ve already suffered a 48-0 hammering by these opponents back in Round 10, but Edinburgh’s matches against Italian opposition tends to go to the home side on the day. Furthermore Edinburgh’s away form hasn’t been great this season. Both those facts bode well for Treviso, but with no team info for either team, this really is a tough one to call.

Prediction: Treviso by 1

Newport Gwent Dragons vs Ulster

Last up we have the Dragons hosting Ulster. As ever Newport are the lowest ranked non-Italian side in this competition, with only four wins to their credit this season, the highlight being their stunning victory over Leinster in Dublin three rounds back. Can they mug Ulster in a similar fashion? The did do that in this same fixture last year, but that was Round 1 where upsets often happen as teams shake off the cobwebs. Ulster are far more settled now going into Round 17 and will be looking to secure their place in the top four with a win here.

Prediction: Ulster by 18

How do you see the weekend going?

By John O’Brien (@tiptackler)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images