Adam Williams presents his prediction for the European Rugby Champions Cup match.
You have to feel for Sale Sharks. In the very first round of the Champions Cup group stage, they face the reigning United Rugby Championship winners, Glasgow Warriors. The Sharks are already having a mediocre season, sitting sixth in the Premiership. Are we expecting an inevitable defeat for them?
Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors are following a similar path to last season’s intercontinental championship with five wins and two losses. Only the relentless effort of Ulster, who scored a decisive try in the 85th minute, allowed them to win at home (20:19), and the lengthy flight to South Africa to face the Sharks impacted them (24:28). However, at Scotstoun Stadium, the Warriors have remained unbeaten for nearly a year since their Champions Cup fixture against Northampton Saints (19:28), with 10 victories following.
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are also primarily securing points on home turf. Their successful streak is slightly shorter, at eight matches, after a Champions Cup loss to Stade Rochelais (24:37). But away from home, it’s a different story. In the past year, they've suffered nine defeats and earned only three victories. Two of those wins can be explained by facing Newcastle Falcons, who were losing to everyone (35:14), and English Championship side Doncaster (43:37). Their sole commendable triumph was a victory over Saracens (20:10) at the end of the previous English Premiership season. This Premiership season, they have lost all three away games.
Glasgow Warriors vs Sale Sharks Prediction
Over the past five years, these teams have met twice: both home (13:7) and away (45:7) wins for Glasgow Warriors. The hosts can indeed win convincingly, but that carries risk, so we suggest only a modest handicap in their favour.
