Otago vs Auckland Predictions & Tips - Auckland to dominate in Dunedin

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 13 Aug 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 13 Aug 2024

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Both teams lost their round 1 games in the NPC
Auckland have won their last 2 fixture against Otago
Match kicks off at 07:05am GMT on Friday

Expired

Auckland backed to bounce back with a win (Getty Images)

Otago vs Auckland Predictions

Both sides lost last weekend but Auckland’s defeat wasn’t unexpected against Wellington. Otago went down to Southland, a game they should be winning. I am backing Auckland to cover the -11 handicap in this fixture.

Otago vs Auckland Predictions
Head to Head
Otago Form
Otago Injuries & Team News
Auckland Form
Auckland Injuries & Team News

Otago lost their last match by 9 points to Southland.
Auckland have won their last 2 matches against Otago.
Auckland have covered the -11 handicap in their last 2 matches against Otago.

Head to Head

Auckland have won their last two games against Otago and four of their last six. Last season, Auckland beat Otago 35-17 at home.

Otago Form

Otago have not enjoyed a very strong season in 2024. They had a poor Super Rugby campaign and while many of those players don’t feature in the NPC, it is still the same franchise.

Last week, in the opening round of the NPC, Otago suffered a 22-13 defeat to Southland at home. Southland are perennial bottom feeders in the NPC, so that was a game Otago would have expected to win, even away from home.

Otago Injuries & Team News

After a poor performance last weekend, the Highlanders could ring the changes for this home fixture.

Auckland Form

Auckland had a tough start to their NPC campaign with a home fixture against tournament favourites, Wellington.

While the result didn’t go their way, Auckland will take some confidence from their performance. They lost the game 29-21 but for large periods they were in the game.

After last season’s sixth place finish, the Aucklanders will hope for a better campaign this time around.

Auckland Injuries & Team News

I expect a few changes for this game but after defeat in round one, Auckland will not want to slip up here. They are favourites, so perhaps two or three changes at most.

Verdict

Otago v Auckland

Auckland are tipped to cover the -11 handicap against Otago.

Auckland -11

Handicap

@10/11 - 4 Units

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