Crusaders vs Blues Predictions - Crusaders backed to edge the Blues at home in a Super Rugby clash

Nigel Williams

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Crusaders have won 4 of their last 5 home matches and 4 of last 5 vs Blues
Recommendation: Crusaders to cover -2.5 handicap against Blues
Blues in good overall form but inconsistent away

Crusaders backed to edge the Blues at home (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Blues Predictions

Crusaders are favourites, backed by an impressive head-to-head and home record. My best bet is the Crusaders to cover the -2.5 handicap at home.

Crusaders have won 4 of their last 5 home matches.
Crusaders have won 4 of the last 5 meetings against the Blues.
Crusaders come into this match on the back of a 25-20 home win against the Waratahs.
Blues have won 3 of the last 5 away matches.
Blues come into this match on the back of a 45-19 win at Moana Pasifika.

Head to Head

Crusaders have a decisive lead of four victories to one against the Blues in the last five meetings.

Crusaders Form

Crusaders have had a good run of form at home, winning four of their last five home matches in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 25-20 home win against the Waratahs.

Their previous home results include a win against the Chiefs (16-12), a loss against the Brumbies (50-24), and wins against the Highlanders (29-18) and Fijian Drua (69-26).

Crusaders are currently fourth in Super Rugby, with 27 points after 11 matches.

Crusaders will back themselves to take maximum points at home against a Blues side that has been inconsistent on the road.

Despite the gap on the table, the Crusaders’ home record makes them slight favourites.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up:

1 George Bower, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Leciester Fainga'anuku, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Macca Springer, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Dallas McLeod, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Johnny McNicholl.

Replacements:

16 George Bell, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dom Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Kurtis Macdonald.

Blues Form

Blues have had a mixed run of form away from home in all competitions, winning three of their last five matches. They come into this match on the back of a 45-19 win at Moana Pasifika.

Their previous away results include a win at the Force (42-32), followed by a loss at the Brumbies (30-27), a win at the Waratahs (35-20), and a loss at the Hurricanes (42-19).

Blues are currently second in Super Rugby, with 39 points after 11 matches.

Blues Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up:

1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5 Sam Darry, 6 Malachi Wrampling, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Sam Nock, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Kade Banks, 15 Zarn Sullivan.

Replacements:

16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Xavi Taele.

Verdict

Crusaders v Blues

The Crusaders have a superior record over the Blues and are tipped to cover the -2.5 handicap.

Crusaders -2.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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