Chiefs vs Blues Betting Tips - Chiefs to win close encounter?

The Chiefs will be aiming to bounce back when they clash with the Blues at the FMG Stadium in Super Rugby Aotearoa on Saturday. The Blues have impressed in 2020 but have come up short against the Chiefs in past matches, so I’m tipping the home side to win a tight game.

The Chiefs have been unconvincing in 2020 despite having a very strong squad. In their first match of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Chiefs went down 28-27 to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

It was a back and forth encounter, with both sides displaying a lack of competitive game-time - with errors all too common. Some strict refereeing of the clash didn't help matters either.

This stifled the usually deadly Chiefs attack, but with another week of training under their belt, I imagine they will be a lot more fluid in this clash.

Anton Lienert-Brown will be a key figure at inside centre, while Damian McKenzie remains one of the most exciting players on the world stage.

Kaleb Trask struggled at fly-half for the Chiefs. That could see former All Black fly-half Aaron Cruden make his first start for the Chiefs since returning from Europe.

The Blues were excellent during the now-abandoned Super Rugby campaign. Last week in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Blues beat off the Hurricanes 30-20 at Eden Park.

Otere Black was tremendous at fly-half, while Beauden Barrett started his first match for the side at full-back. The two were outstanding in dictating play.

Despite the Blues' improved form in 2020, they did lose 37-29 to the Chiefs at Eden Park earlier in 2020.

The Blues are unlikely to tinker too much with their side. Beauden Barrett, a fly-half by choice, should remain at full-back considering the impressive performance of Otere Black.

The Chiefs have a big 15-1 hold over the Blues in their last 17 fixtures, with one draw. The previous meeting between the sides was on 31 January 2020, with the Chiefs winning 37-29 at Eden Park.

The Chiefs are favourites for the victory at 1.80, while the Blues are priced at 2.05. A draw is paying 23.00. 

In the winning margin market, the Chiefs are available at 2.87 to win by between 1-12 points, while the Blues are priced at 3.50 to do the same.

The Chiefs and Blues love to run with the ball, so tries are expected in this clash.

I expect to see the Chiefs' Damian McKenzie and the Blues' Beauden Barrett causing havoc.