Reds vs Highlanders Prediction: Fresh Reds to show their true colours
Having had a bye week in Round 2, the Reds will be rested and fully focused on their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium on Friday morning (08:35, Sky Sports+).
Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Reds vs Highlanders prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in Brisbane.
Reds vs Highlanders Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publication
Team News
The Reds have gone with a front row of Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr, with Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row.
Joe Brial, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson form an excellent back row, with Louis Werchon and Carter Gordon the starting half-back pairing.
Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook combine in the centres, while Tim Ryan, Lachie Anderson and Jock Campbell start in the back three.
As for the Highlanders, Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor and Rohan Wingham start up front, with locks Will Stodart and Mitch Dunshea in the engine room.
Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy and Lucas Casey complete the pack, with Adam Lennox and Cameron Millar in the half-backs.
The Highlanders' centres are Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe, with Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the back three for the visitors.
The Reds are 4/6 favourites to win on Friday morning, while the Highlanders are 13/10 to claim the victory in Brisbane.
A draw is available at 20/1, while the Highlanders are 6/5 to be leading at the half-time whistle.
Reds -7 handicap @ 7/5
The Reds have had what will have felt like an age to stew on their 36-12 defeat at the Waratahs in the opening round of the campaign.
Letting that game get away from them in the second half, having only trailed 17-12 at the break, the Reds will have focused on what went wrong in Sydney.
Back in the home comforts of Brisbane and having a bye week to prepare for the arrival of the Highlanders, the Reds will be ready to pile into the Dunedin outfit on Friday morning.
The Highlanders edged out the Crusaders 25-23 in Round 1 and lost 26-23 last week in two physical affairs on home soil.
Facing a tough trip to Suncorp Stadium, where they have lost seven of their last nine games against the Reds, it's hard to see the Highlands claiming the win and the Queenslanders are backed to cover the handicap.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Double Result - Highlanders-Reds @ 13/2
Having won seven of their last nine home games, the Reds have made Suncorp Stadium a tough place to go for visiting sides.
The Reds have won three of their last five games in Brisbane despite leading at half-time on the day only once in that spell.
Considering they have a tendency to make slower starts at home, the Highlanders to be leading at the break, but the Reds to take the victory at full-time catches the eye at 13/2.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
