Heineken Cup Odds 2008
Heineken Cup 2008
For the first time since the Heineken Cup started, no team made it through to the quarter finals before the final group games in January. The competition was fierce, the games were brutal and the atmosphere around Europe was electric. So who came out top and what are their odds to lift the coveted Heineken Cup on May 24th in Millenium Stadium?
SATURDAY. 5 APRIL, 2008
London Irish v Perpignan - 15.00 - Sky Sports
Gloucester Rugby v Munster - 17.30 - Sky Sports
SUNDAY, 6 APRIL, 2008
Saracens v Ospreys - 12.30 - Sky Sports
Toulouse v Cardiff Blues - 16.00 - France Televisions
Toulouse
Toulouse are the most highly tipped team to win the competition this year but as we've seen in the past the bookies don't always get it right! Toulouse did top their group with 20 points and they did get the quarter final home draw but they weren't the most convincing team in the group stages. Three previous titles have boosted their odds and they are professionals at this stage but will this be enough?Odds: 7/4 Coral; 2/1 Paddy Power; 13/8 Tote Sport
Munster
For a record ten consecutive years Munster have made it through the group stages and onto the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup. A shakey start to the season meant that Munster had a lot to do against London Wasps in Thomond Park but fans had nothing to worry about. They came out all guns blazing and after an incredible 22 phase move they finally scored the try that secured victory and set up their clash against Gloucester on April 5th.Odds: 5/1 Coral; 9/2 Paddy Power; 5/1 Tote Sport
Gloucester
Gloucester are certainly riding high at the moment - top of the Guinness Premiership and through to the knock out stages of the Heineken Cup and after Toulouse are joint favourites with Munster to win it. They have home advantage on April 5th and are hoping to pack it with as many of the 16,500 Gloucester fans as possible. This is going to be a bear fight which is probably why the bookies can't call it!Odds: 5/1 Coral; 5/1 Paddy Power; 9/2 Tote Sport
Saracens
Saracens whalloped their way through Pool 4 ensuring the former threaths such as Biarritz were sent packing. Their 5/6 win record in the group gave them 24 points and joint top place in the competition so far so why are they not as heavily favoured as some of the others? I think it's because they don't have as much experience in this competition as some of the more seasoned teams and that counts when you have to come up against the likes of Toulouse and Munster!Odds: 13/2 Coral; 7/1 Paddy Power; 8/1 Tote Sport
Ospreys
The bookies may not be backing Ospreys but the Welsh Manager certainly is - Warren Gatland picked 13 of the Ospreys in his starting line up for the Six Nations this year - does he know something we don't? Spurring them on of course is the fact that the final is in Cardiff and if they get there it will be absolutely jammed with their supporters who won't have to travel very far at all to cheer their team on - they've just got to get there first.Odds: 7/1 Coral; 13/2 Paddy Power; 13/2 Tote Sport
London Irish
Winners of Pool 1 with a comprehensive 24 point tally, London Irish have definitely thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the teams still left in this competition. Perpignan were tipped to the take the group and given London Irish's past performances I don't think they were even expected to go through and maybe that's why they've been languishing at the bottom of the bookies favourites list.Odds: 9/1 Coral; 9/1 Paddy Power; 10/1 Tote Sport
Perpignan
Perpignan are a very consitent team and they always give this competition their very best shot. I think, however, that this year they've left their sizzle back in France and with no home advantage it's going to be very difficult for them to progress. French teams don't travel well and for the most part their supporters don't travel at all so it's going to be an uphill struggle at London Irish on April 4th.Odds: 12/1 Coral; 14/1 Paddy Power; 10/1 Tote Sport
Cardiff
With Millenium Stadium on the horizon and only two games between Cardiff Blues and being on their own home turf for a European Final one could be forgiven for thinking that this could be the motivation the team needs for April 5th. The only problem is they have to beat Toulouse, in France, to get there. I'm an optimist but even I can't see that happening but my fingers are crossed that Cardiff can cause an upset, we'll just have to wait and see.Odds: 20/1 Coral; 22/1 Paddy Power; 25/1 Tote Sport
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