Lions vs Leinster Prediction: Underdogs are backed to win

Ellis Park Stadium will host this game in week 14 between Lions and Leinster in the United Rugby Championship. Ahead of this game, Lions are seated 11th in the standings, while Leinster are top of the league standings. 

The lions' last game came in the Challenge Cup, and this side was defeated 22-17. In the meantime, that defeat was the Lions' second consecutive loss, with their first coming against the Ospreys. In the meantime, the Lions have lost as many as six of their last eight games overall. In other defeats, they lost to Montpellier, Ospreys, and Bulls in consecutive games. However, they were able to pick wins over Connatch and Sharks in back-to-back games. Lions have now accumulated 34 points this season, coming from 13 games. The hosts scored 367 goals while conceding 290 in the same run of games.

Leinster are off their eight straight victories in all competition, and in this road game, they will look to keep things rolling. Last weekend, they took on last year's European Champions winner, Stade Rochelais, and picked a vital home win to power themselves to the semi-finals in a game that ended 40-13. In other games of that span, Leinster defeated the likes of Stade Francais Paris, Leicester Tigers, Benetton, Cardiff Rugby, Zebre, and Bulls. The last time this side suffered a defeat was against Ulster in the URC, a one-margin home loss.

Leinster come in as underdogs, and it is understandable given that they are coming off a tight week, while the Lions have had enough rest since their round 1/18 elimination in the European Champions Cup. However, while Leinster could have some of their players rested for this encounter, this side still possesses a number of first-team players that can make the difference. On the other hand, the Lions will come here working all hard to make the playoffs, and they should be resilient at home. However, none of these sides will have it easy, and it is tough to back them. In what is, however, expected to be a rather close game, backing the roadside closing the odds is the best option to bet on.