Toulon vs Munster Prediction: Home advantage key for crunch clash

Toulon and Munster have work to do if they are to make it through to the knockout stages of this season's European Rugby Champions Cup, which means there will be plenty at stake when they meet at the Stade Mayol in Pool 1 on Sunday (13:00 GMT, Premier Sports 2).

Below are my Toulon vs Munster predictions, alongside team news and match odds.

Both sides have won one and lost one in the section, with Toulon bouncing back from defeat to Edinburgh in their opener with a notable 45-34 success over Gallagher Prem holders Bath in their most recent European fixture.

Munster also opened their continental campaign with a defeat, going down at Bath, before following up with a comprehensive home success over another English team, Gloucester.

Toulon vs Munster Odds

Toulon are the 2/9 favourites to pick up a victory on home soil and boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stages, while Munster are 7/2 to spring a surprise in the south of France. The tie can be backed at 25/1.

In the three-way handicap market, Munster are 10/11 to triumph with an 11-point start, while Toulon -11 is available at 5/6.

Team News

Toulon named a team full of academy players, three of whom were making their debuts, for last week's 66-0 thrashing at La Rochelle in the Top 14, with coach Pierre Mignoni bidding to keep his experienced campaigners fresh for this clash.

There is certainly a more familiar look to Toulon's starting XV for this one, with flanker Charles Ollivon set to captain the side, while Tomas Albornoz will make his debut at fly-half following his recent arrival from Benetton.

Munster also rested key figures for last Friday's defeat at Ulster in the United Rugby Championship, with 10 players now earning recalls to Clayton McMillan's team.

Half-backs Jack Crowley and Craig Casey are among the players to come in, with captain Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombe and Edwin Edogbo featuring in a much-changed pack.

Toulon -15 @ 11/8

Home advantage appears key for this fixture, with Toulon unbeaten at the Stade Mayol this season and having won six of their last seven matches on their own patch by at least a 15-point advantage.

The only exception during that run was their 11-point success over Bath in their last European fixture, but the English champions are perhaps a tougher prospect than poor travellers Munster, so another comprehensive home victory may be on the cards.

Toulon should certainly be fresh after pretty much writing off their game at La Rochelle last time out to give their key players a rest during what is a hectic winter schedule.

Munster also rotated for their defeat at Ulster, but even a strengthened line-up may struggle in the south of France, with the Irish province having lost two of their last three away fixtures, including their 40-14 defeat at Bath in this competition.

This looks like being a comfortable victory for Toulon, setting them up nicely for their final pool fixture at Gloucester next weekend, while Munster may have it all to do when they host Castres.

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