Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty Predictions - Bay of Plenty set for closely fought victory

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 16 Aug 2023

Marc Thomas 16 Aug 2023

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Watch Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty in the NPC on Friday (09:05 SAST)
Visitors won their last game
Can Manukau get their first win of the season?

Expired

Counties Manukau can cover handicap yet again (Getty images)

Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty Preview

Counties Manukau have suffered two narrow defeats in their last two games while Bay of Plenty have a narrow loss and a closely fought win. I expect this to go to the wire with Bay of Plenty to have the edge.

Counties Manukau vs Bay of Plenty Preview
Head to Head
Counties Manukau Form
Counties Manukau Injuries & News
Bay of Plenty Form
Bay of Plenty Injuries & News

Counties Manukau have lost their last 2 matches by 7 or less points.
Counties Manukau won their last match against Bay of Plenty.
Bay of Plenty won their last match.

Head to Head

Over the last five matches, each team has won twice along with a draw in 2017. Last season Manukau won 18-13 away from home.

Counties Manukau Form

Counties Manukau are currently placed 11th on the NPC table with just two points from two matches. Both fixtures have ended in defeat, but they have got two bonus points from the games.

In the opening round, Manukau suffered a 37-29 loss at Taranaki before narrowly losing 25-24 at home to Hawkes Bay last weekend. That result will hurt as they could easily have clinched the points.

Counties Manukau Injuries & News

The hosts have no new reported injuries to their side. Like everyone else, they are missing the All Blacks from their squad but should be very close to the side that started last week.

Bay of Plenty Form

Bay of Plenty have made a stuttering start to the NPC, winning one and losing one of their opening two fixtures.

On the opening weekend, they lost narrowly 32-30 at home to Auckland. It was perhaps a game they will feel they should have won, especially at home, but at least they got a bonus point from the loss.

Bay of Plenty bounced back last week to defeat Waikato 19-15 at home. This will be their first test on the road this season.

Bay of Plenty Injuries & News

Bay of Plenty are expected to be close to full strength. They will want to get the points here to start putting pressure on the top of the table.

Verdict

Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty

I am backing Counties Manukau to cover the +7 handicap.

Manukau +7

Handicap

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