Leinster vs Bath Prediction: Visitors can run hosts close

Leinster have a home tie in the last 16 already assured, but they will be going all out to finish as high in the seedings as possible when they host Bath in the European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday night (20:00, Premier Sports 1) at the Aviva Stadium.

Alex Jack delivers his best bet for the clash in Dublin, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the big game in his Leinster vs Bath prediction.

Team News

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has gone with a strong side for Saturday despite their place in the knockouts already being secured.

Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jordie Barrett, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park form a star-studded backline for the hosts.

Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Rabah Slimani start in the front row, with locks Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in behind.

Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier and skipper Jack Conan complete an impressive back row for Leinster.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Bath, Beno Obano, Niall Annett and Will Stuart make up the front row, with Quinn Roux and Ross Molony in the engine room.

Back-rowers Ted Hill, Miles Reid and Alfie Barbeary will be tasked with trying to edge the battle at the breakdown, while the regular duo of skipper Ben Spencer and Finn Russell start in the half-backs.

Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence start in the centres, with Ruaridh McConnochie, Joe Cokanasiga and Tom de Glanville making up a dangerous back three.

Leinster vs Bath Odds

Leinster are 1/14 for the victory at the Aviva Stadium this weekend, while Bath are 15/2, implying an 11.8% probability, to head back to the West Country with a big win in Dublin.

A draw in this one is available at 25/1 on Saturday.

Bath +14 handicap @ 1/1

Leinster are on a 12-game winning streak and on home soil it’s hard to look past Cullen’s side claiming the victory at the Aviva.

However, this Bath side is sitting at the top of the English Premiership table for a reason and they have the quality in their ranks to make Saturday’s game a tighter contest than some might foresee.

The key for Bath will be accuracy at the set-piece and being competitive at the breakdown against what is a formidable Leinster pack.

If Bath can try and neutralise the home forwards then they can give themselves a platform to let Russell work his magic in the backline.

Leinster have not been blowing away teams in Dublin in recent weeks, beating Clermont 15-7 and Connacht 20-12 in their last two home outings.

While Bath might not be able to end Leinster’s impressive winning streak this weekend, the visitors with the +14 handicap looks to be the way to go here.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights