Lions vs Leinster Predictions - Lions backed against weakened Leinster

While Leinster still have a good squad from which to pick, I fancy the Lions to win by more than two points at altitude in the middle of the afternoon.

Last season Leinster beat the Lions 39-36 in Johannesburg.

The Lions are currently 13th on the URC table with six wins and seven defeats in 13 matches. They are on 34 points, just a point off the quarterfinal spots.

This week the Lions have a great chance to get a result on home soil against table-topping Leinster. The visitors are nowhere near full strength for this encounter.

The Johannesburg-based outfit did not play last week as they were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Benetton the week prior. Before that, the Lions lost a URC home game against Ospreys but did beat Connacht 38-14 the week before.

The Lions have had a week break so should be fresh to go with a full-strength side.

Leinster have dominated this season once again and currently top the URC table with 54 points. They have won 11 of their 13 URC games.

The focus for Leinster will very much be on the Champions Cup, a tournament that has evaded them over the last couple of years. The Irish club lost ended as runners-up to La Rochelle in both finals but have reached the semi-final stage again.

Last week, in the Champions Cup quarterfinal, Leinster were far too good at home for La Rochelle, winning the game 40-13. They beat the Bulls, Leicester Tigers and Zebre in their three games before that.

Leinster are focused on the Champions Cup and their squad selection tells the story. They are not near full strength for this strip to South Africa as they keep some key players fresh for the semi-final in two weeks.