Lions vs Western Province Betting Tips, Predictions & Odds - Province to compound Lions woes

The Lions host Western Province at Emirates Airline Park in the Currie Cup on Saturday. Province have shown some inconsistencies this season but they have the quality to beat a Lions side who have struggled against the big unions of late.

The Lions managed just one win in Super Rugby Unlocked but that is largely down to two of their matches being cancelled due to COVID-19 infections.

Regardless, they sit in fifth position on the table, four points behind Western Province in third and one point behind the Cheetahs in fourth.

Last weekend the Lions had a lucky escape as they beat Griquas 20-17 in Kimberley. Having been behind for most of the match, the Lions took the lead five minutes into the first half. 

A few minutes later the match was abandoned due to lightning in the air – had it been a few minutes earlier they would have lost the match.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has made two changes to the Lions starting line-up. Tiaan Swanepoel comes in for the injured EW Viljoen at fullback. 

The other change sees Ross Cronje start at scrumhalf in place of Morne van den Berg.

Western Province heads into this fixture in third place on the Currie Cup table after losing their opening fixture to the Bulls last weekend. The points carried over (19) from Super Rugby Unlocked means that Province remain above the Cheetahs and Lions for now.

It has been a somewhat inconsistent season for the Cape Town-based outfit and they’ll be bitterly disappointed with defeat against the Bulls. Having led for the majority of the match, Western Province allowed the Bulls back into the match with two late tries.

What makes that worse is that the Bulls played the last 30 minutes with a man less. John Dobson was not impressed with his charges and they will seek massive improvement this weekend.

Fullback Warrick Gelant is out for the rest of the season after tearing knee ligaments. Regular flyhalf, Damian Willemse shifts to fullback which sees Tim Swiel come in at flyhalf.

In their only other change, Ruhan Nel gets a chance at centre with Rikus Pretorius moving to the bench.

Western Province lead the Lions 5-4 over their last nine matches across all competitions. Their last encounter saw Western Province come from behind to beat the Lions 23-17 at Newlands in Super Rugby Unlocked.

The Lions and Stormers are priced at 1.90 to win with a draw available at 21.00.

The handicap for the match is set at 1 point.

Both teams have been inconsistent but as playoffs start to loom expect form to improve. Set pieces will be key once again in what should be a tight battle, with the Lions holding the edge at the scrum. Province will need to be wary of any poor tactical kicking as this is what cost them last week.