Bulls vs Ulster Predictions - Bulls too strong for Ulster at home in URC clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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The Bulls are backed to cover the -18.5 handicap at home against Ulster.
Bulls boast a five-match home winning streak and dominant recent performances.
Ulster have struggled on the road, losing two and drawing one of their last five away matches.

Bulls too strong for Ulster at home in URC clash (Getty Images)

Bulls vs Ulster Predictions

Bulls are firm favourites due to their strong home form at Loftus Versfeld, coming off a dominant 56-20 Champions Cup win over Stade Français and a 57-15 URC victory over the Lions. Ulster have struggled on the road after drawing one and losing two of their last five away matches, alongside a tough South African travel itinerary. My best bet is the Bulls to cover the -18.5 handicap at home.

Bulls vs Ulster Predictions
Head to Head
Bulls Form
Bulls Injuries & Team News
Ulster Form
Ulster Injuries & Team News

Bulls have won their last 5 home matches.
Bulls have won 2 of the last 5 matches against Ulster.
Bulls beat Stade Francais 56-20 in their last home match.
Ulster have won 2 of their last 5 away matches.
Ulster beat Zebre 40-21 in their last away match.

Head to Head

Bulls have won two of the last five meetings with Ulster.

Bulls Form

The Bulls crushed Stade Francais 56-20 in their previous home match in Pretoria, running in eight tries to two.

Winger Cheswill Jooste scored a hat-trick, including an opener after just 20 seconds, setting a dominant tone in the Pretoria heat. Fly-half Handré Pollard put on a masterclass by pulling the strings of the attack and slotting all eight conversions for a flawless 16-point haul with the boot.

The Bulls pack dominated the physical battle and dictated the high-altitude tempo at Loftus Versfeld.

Bulls have been strong at home, winning their last five home matches in all competitions. Their previous home results include wins against Ospreys (40-24), Glasgow Warriors (28-21), the Sharks (34-14), the Lions (57-15), and Stade Francais (56-20).

The Bulls are third in the URC with 11 points after three matches.

Bulls Injuries & Team News

Bulls loose forward Cameron Hanekom is back in top form and set for a high-profile head-to-head battle against Ulster's Juarno "Trokkie" Augustus.

Winger Sebastian de Klerk has also returned to action following a long-term foot injury layoff.

Ulster Form

Ulster defeated Zebre 40-21 in Parma, opening their European Challenge Cup Pool Stage campaign with a six-try bonus-point win. Debutant hooker Henry Walker scored two first-half tries as Ulster built a 19-0 half-time lead, before surviving a late Zebre fightback.

Ulster have had a mixed run of form on the road, losing two and drawing one of their last five away matches in all competitions. Their previous away results include a win against Zebre (28-12), a loss against Munster (41-14), and Montpellier (59-26), followed by a draw against Glasgow Warriors (33-33), and a win against Zebre (40-21).

Juarno Augustus (number eight) was named Player of the Match after a dominant display, while Jacob Stockdale (wing), David McCann (flanker), Michael Lowry (fullback), and Martin Moloney (flanker) added tries.

Ulster are 11th in the URC with eight points after three matches.

Ulster Injuries & Team News

Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey (centre) and Nick Timoney (flanker) are expected to return from muscle injuries, with winger Zac Ward in doubt for the Bulls match in Pretoria after suffering an ankle injury.

Verdict

Bulls v Ulster

Bulls are firm favourites due to their strong home form at Loftus Versfeld.

Bulls -18.5

Handicap

@1,90 - 1 Unit

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Nigel combines a love of business and sport as one of the leading experts on South African sport.

Since a young age, he played football, cricket, golf, tennis and squash, and is an avid Arsenal supporter.

His initial foray into the business world was in the financial industry, completing various diploma’s including financial and investment management and credit management, and held various positions in banking.

He subsequently worked on the Leadership media publication and the Global Africa Network Media Trade and Investment platforms, before switching to sport.