Montpellier vs Ulster Prediction: French to triumph in Bilbao

The European Challenge Cup reaches a climax on Friday night (9pm local, 8pm BST, ITV X) as Montpellier and Ulster prepare to go toe-to-toe in the final at San Mames Stadium.

Below are my Montpellier vs Ulster predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in Bilbao.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Starting with Montpellier, Enzo Forletta, Jordan Uelese and Mohamed Haouas form the front row, with locks Florian Verhaeghe and Tyler Duguid in behind.

Lenni Nouchi, Alexandre Becognee and Billy Vunipola complete the pack, with Ali Price and Domingo Miotti in the half-backs.

Auguste Cadot and Arthur Vincent start in the centres, with Donovan Taofifenua, Gabriel Ngandebe and Tom Banks in the back three for the Top 14 outfit.

As for Ulster, the URC side go with Angus Bell, Tom Stewart and Tom O'Toole in the front row, with locks Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu in the engine room.

David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus start in the back row, with Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy in the half-backs.

Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume start in the centres, with Zac Ward, Rob Baloucoune and Michael Lowry in the back three.

Montpellier vs Ulster Odds

Ulster are 2/1 to win the final in 80 minutes, while Montpellier are available at 4/11 in the same market.

A draw in Bilbao at the end of regular time is 22/1, while Montpellier to be ahead at the half-time and full-time whistle are 8/11.

Montpellier -10 handicap @ 13/10

Montpellier should be brimming with confidence as they make the trip across the border to Spain for this Challenge Cup final.

Winning 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions, while currently on a seven-game winning streak going into this match, Montpellier are flying right now.

Ulster on the other hand are not in a great place, having managed just one win in their last five games in all competitions.

Managing five wins in their last 15 away games in all competitions, getting positive results away from Belfast has been challenging for head coach Richie Murphy and his side.

Currently in second place in the Top 14, with an impressive 770 points scored at an average of 32 points per game, Montpellier have the attacking game that will trouble this Ulster defence.

Behind a powerful pack that will take the game to Ulster, half-backs Price and Miotti will marshal the troops and can unleash a dangerous backline.

Montpellier have failed to beat Ulster in their previous three meetings, but this current crop of players are different for Les Bleu et Blanc and the French side look capable of not only winning Friday's European Challenge Cup final, but also covering the handicap.

Rugby Union betting tips with Betfred Insights.