Ulster vs Leinster Predictions - Leinster to prevail against Ulster in derby clash

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Leinster have won 4 in a row against Ulster.
Ulster have performed well at home this season.
Leinster are predicted to cover the +2.5 handicap.

Leinster are on a winning streak against Ulster (Getty Images)

Ulster have been in excellent form at home this season, but they have often lost against Leinster in recent matchups. Leinster have been in solid away form lately and have had success away at Ulster.

Leinster have won 3 consecutive fixtures in all competitions.
Leinster have won 5 of their last 7 away games in all competitions.
Leinster have won 4 of their last 6 away matches in all competitions.
Ulster have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Ulster have won 9 of their last 10 home games in all competitions.
Ulster have lost four consecutive matches against Leinster.

Head to Head

Leinster have a commanding lead of 34 victories to 11 against Ulster in 45 meetings.

Ulster lost 24-20 away to Leinster earlier this season.

Ulster Form

Ulster hosted Top 14 outfit La Rochelle in a European Challenge Cup quarter-final match last weekend, winning 41-24 at home after leading 24-10 at the break.

Ulster have performed well at home during their URC season. They defeated the Dragons 42-21, the Bulls 28-7, Benetton 47-13, Munster 28-3, and Cardiff 21-14 before losing 26-19 to Connacht.

Ulster are 3rd in the United Rugby Championship table with 47 points from 14 matches.

Ulster have played their best rugby at home this season; however, they face a tricky test against Leinster, having lost four successive games to their rivals.

Leinster Form

Leinster produced a commanding second-half display against the Sale Sharks in their European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final last weekend, winning 43-13 after leading 7-3 at half-time.

Leinster have been in decent nick away from home in the United Rugby Championship this season. They lost 35-0 to the Stormers, 39-31 to the Bulls, defeated the Dragons 24-10, Munster 13-8, and Connacht 34-23 before losing 8-7 to Cardiff and 38-17 to the Glasgow Warriors.

Leinster are 4th in the URC table with 46 points from 14 games.

Leinster will start confidently against their rivals, having recorded three consecutive victories in recent outings, and they have won four of their last six visits to Ulster.

Team News

Ulster

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has stated that his side will look to exploit weaknesses in Leinster's game to get the result on the weekend: "It's a massive test for us at the weekend but we're also playing some really good rugby.

"Within that Leinster system we see some weaknesses, things that we can go after, so it's going to be on the back of whether we can execute.

"We created some opportunities against them down at the Aviva and that gives us belief that on our day we can do the job."

Nick Timoney is nursing a hip injury and is a doubtful starter.

Leinster

Former Ireland loosehead Ed Byrne has joined on a short-term loan from Cardiff until the end of this season.

The fitness of Ireland internationals Caelan Doris, Andrew Porter and Josh van der Flier will be assessed towards the end of the week.

Hugh Cooney has recovered from a foot injury and is available for selection.

Alex Usanov and Ryan Baird are out through injury.

Verdict

Ulster v Leinster

Leinster have enjoyed regular success against Ulster in recent seasons and are tipped to cover the +2.5 handicap in their derby clash this weekend.

Leinster +2.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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Leinster Win

Result

@2.20 - 2 Units

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