Bordeaux Begles vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Tigers might be mauled in France

Michael Cheika won the Champions Cup while in charge of Leinster in 2009 and embarks on his first European campaign with Leicester Tigers on Sunday when they head to Bordeaux.

After a mixed 2023-24 season under Cheika's fellow Australian Dan McKellar, the Tigers have improved but went down 39-25 at Sale last time out and are still some distance from emulating the club's previous continental titles over two decades ago.

Bordeaux are relative new boys on the continental scene but, like plenty of other French clubs, have big money backers and have been able to recruit a star-studded squad.

L'UBB opened their 2023-24 campaign with a big victory away at Connacht and could record something similar at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. Below you can find my Bordeaux Begles vs Leicester Tigers predictions.

Team news

Star-studded Bordeaux will be captained by Maxime Lucu, who partners fellow French international Matthieu Jalibert in the halves, and they form part of an all-Les Bleus back-line, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey starting at 15.

Prop Ben Tameifuna and lock Jonny Gray are included in the pack, with former Ireland number 10 Joey Carbery on the bench.

French lock Come Joussain makes his first start for Leicester alongside Harry Wells in the second row, while Izaia Perese, Jed Holloway and Joseph Woodward will also make their European debuts.

Nicky Smith, Tommy Reffell, Dan Cole, George Martin and Handre Pollard are all rested after playing for Wales, England and South Africa during the Autumn Nations Series.

Bordeaux Begles vs Leicester Tigers Odds

Bordeaux are the 1/20 favourites, with the draw 28/1 and Leicester 9/1 to triumph.

The three-way handicap is at 19 points, with Bordeaux -19 at 10/11 and they are 11/10 giving a -10.5 start away by the interval. 

Bordeaux -21 @ 11/10

Bordeaux began their 2023-24 Champions Cup campaign with a 41-5 win at Connacht and will target something similar at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

They beat Bristol 36-17 and Saracens 55-15 before their second-string ran Bulls close, losing 46-40 in Pretoria after opting to rest their stars in the final round of the pool stages with qualification already sealed.

Their squad is only getting stronger, with their young players improving with experience and shining under the guidance of Lucu, Jalibert and Damien Penaud.

L'Union are unbeaten in 10 games at home since losing an all-time classic quarter-final 42-41 to Harlequins in April.

It looks a tall order for the Tigers, winners of this competition in 2001 and 2002, and who made the last 16 last season before going out to Leinster.

Michael Cheika's side have won at Exeter, Newcastle and Saracens in the Premiership this season but this game represents a huge step up and they looked short of dynamism at Sale.

For all their talent, Bordeaux have yet to make a significant impact in Europe but this season could be different and they will expect to rival compatriots Toulouse, who they will not play before the knockout rounds, for top spot in Pool 1.

With a wild weekend forecast on the Atlantic coast, Leicester could find themselves in the eye of the storm and a big home win is predicted.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.