Emirates Lions v Lions betting tips: Tourists should be too strong
Preview and odds for Saturday’s match
The British and Irish Lions play their first match since arriving in South Africa and we have studied the odds to highlight some Emirates Lions v Lions betting tips.
Warren Gatland’s side beat Japan 28-10 at Murrayfield before departing, although victory came at a cost with injury ruling skipper Alun Wyn Jones out of the tour.
Saturday’s match in Johannesburg is on Sky Sports and kicks off at 5pm BST.
Emirates Lions v British and Irish Lions odds
The Lions should be full of confidence after a convincing win over Japan and they are 1/33 to make it back-to-back victories.
Conor Murray is taking over as skipper from Jones but Stuart Hogg (pictured below) will captain the tourists for their opening fixture in South Africa.
Hogg was dropped by Exeter for the closing stages of their Gallagher Premiership title push but the Scotland skipper has been thrust into Gatland’s team at the first available opportunity.
The 29-year-old full-back only linked up with the squad after Saturday’s Premiership final defeat by Harlequins and has been given an immediate chance to press for Test selection.
He is joined in the backline by Scotland team-mate Finn Russell, who forms an intriguing 10-12 axis with Owen Farrell – one of his rivals for the fly-half duties against the Springboks.
A strong Scottish influence runs throughout the team with five Scotsmen in the starting XV and Zander Fagerson on the bench after recovering from a back spasm.
England dominate the pack where they supply five starters in hooker Jamie George, prop Kyle Sinckler, locks Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill and flanker Courtney Lawes.
“It’s good to have arrived in Johannesburg and get the tour under way,” Gatland said. “We had a pleasing win last week up in Edinburgh, but there’s still plenty we need to get right on Saturday.
“I’ve been encouraged by the way the boys have trained this week. I feel it’s gone up a level from where we were in Jersey and we’re starting to see a better understanding of some of our tactics.
“There’s some new player combinations for us to have a look at this Saturday – which is good information for us as the Test series approaches.
“My congratulations to all those playing their first game as a Lion, and also to Hoggy too – who I am sure will lead the side by example.”
Emirates Lions can be backed at 12/1 to cause an upset, with the tie 66/1.
In the handicap market, Gatland’s side are 10/11 to prevail conceding a 23-point start, with the Emirates Lions also 10/11 with a 23-point advantage and the tie 25/1.
View the latest rugby union odds
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
