Rugby European Champions Cup Picks: Lyon vs. Bulls

What?: European Champions Cup Group Stages: Group A - Lyon vs. Vocadom Blue Bulls
When?: Friday, January 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. EST
Where? Stade Gerland, Lyon, France

The 2023 Rugby European Champions Cup group stages will continue this weekend, and there's an exciting matchup on the docket for Friday, Jan. 20. Lyon will play host to Bulls on Friday in what figures to be a tightly-contested matchup within the group. There's plenty of betting action to look at in this matchup, so we're going to dive into some Rugby Union European Champions Cup picks for the Friday matchup between Lyon and Bulls.

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European Champions Cup Odds: Lyon vs. Bulls

	Spread	Money Line
Lyon	-2.5 (-115)	-130
Bulls	+2.5 (-115)	+113
Draw		+2100

Heading into the Lyon vs. Bulls matchup in the Rugby Union European Champions Cup, it's the home team who are favored in the clash. Lyon (-130) have a slight edge over the Vodacom Blue Bulls (+105). The spread is set for Lyon -2.5 (-120), indicating it will be a close battle between the two sides desperate for a win to vault themselves up the table. The draw for the matchup is set at (+2100).

Lyon Best Bets

Lyon has failed to pick up a win in any of its first three games of the Europeans Champions Cup. They opened play on the road against Bulls, losing 42-36 back on Saturday, December 10. Their second game saw them matched up against Saracens. The game, while played on their home turf, did not go in their favor, with Lyon losing 28-20. They played Saracens again in their subsequent matchup, this time on the road, and the results were even worse; a 48-28 defeat.

Lyon is already out of the qualification picture for the next stage of the European Champions Cup, but a win would keep them right in position to make the drop into the Challenge Cup. Additionally, they could spoil Bulls' chances of reaching the next stages.

Lyon fell just short of a road win over Bulls in their first meeting of the group stages. While they were clearly outmatched by Saracens in their other two games, if there's any matchup that Lyon can win in their group, it's the one at home against Bulls. They don't have as much to play for, but with pride on the line and a potential spot in the Challenge Cup, Lyon should put up strong fight against Bulls.

I think Lyon will come out of the gate strong on Friday and jump out to an early lead against Bulls. Because of that, my first pick for the Lyon-Bulls Rugby Union European Champions Cup is Lyon First Half Money Line (-117). I believe the French squad will have a strong start in their game, whether or not it lasts, and will use their home-field advantage to secure a lead in the first half of play.

Lyon To beat Bulls in first half

-117

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Bulls Best Bets

The Vodacom Blue Bulls are looking to secure their qualification to the next stages of the Rugby Union European Champions Cup, but will need a win over Lyon to do so. Currently with two wins and one loss under their belt in their first three games, the Bulls face a difficult task against Lyon. Despite beating them earlier in the tournament, this game will be played in France, making the environment more hostile for the road team.

The Bulls have played three games thus far into the Rugby Union European Champions Cup. Back in December, they opened up their tournament with a 42-36 win over Lyon. Then, things took a turn for the south as they were smashed 44-14 by Exeter Chiefs on the road. Bulls returned home for a rematch with Chiefs in their third game and flipped the script with a 39-28 victory. Now, they'll be back on the road for one final game against Lyon, needing a win to reach the next stages of the tournament.

In their first three games, Bulls have scored 95 points while conceding 108. Obviously, their meltdown against Exeter Chiefs on the road is largely responsbile for their negative scoring differential. As for Lyon, they've limped to a -34 differential, scoring 84 points while conceding 118. Their defense has been suspect, and Bulls will look to take advantage of that when they stroll into Lyon on Friday.

Lyon has managed to score 12 tries in their three games, while Bulls are slightly ahead with 14. Lyon has conceded 16, however, and Bulls have surrendered 15, which could foreshadow a high-scoring game between the two sides.

With more to play for, including a spot in the Round of 16, I'm expecting Bulls to step up and deliver their first road win of the tournament. Because of that, I'm going to bet on Bulls Money Line (+113). I think the team will be ultra-motivated heading into the clash and will look to claim its spot in the Round of 16.

Bulls To beat Lyon

+113

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Before diving into the 2023 Rugby Union European Chamions Cup picks, make sure to check out our top sportsbook reviews, where you can find plenty of useful information in order to find the best sportsbook to meet your wants and needs.