Cardiff Rugby vs Dragons – Match Betting Preview

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports

On Saturday, it’s derby day in the Welsh capital as Cardiff Rugby welcomes Dragons RFC to Arms Park.

There is always excitement when two Welsh clubs face off against each other.

Both teams have been playing some thrilling rugby lately and will look to put on a show for the Cardiff crowd.

As block two of the URC gets underway, both sides will be eager to start it with a win. It promises to be an exciting game, offering enticing betting opportunities.

Cardiff Rugby

There was a great deal of intrigue around how Cardiff would look coming into the new season.

The club had to contend with Tomos Williams’ departure while recruiting exceptional talents such as Callum Sheedy and Aled Davies.

Many felt Cardiff could push on and challenge for play-off positions come springtime.

They have made a promising start to the year, securing excellent victories against Ulster, Zebre, and the Scarlets.

The win against Ulster was particularly impressive, as the Welsh club had to overcome a massive deficit to beat the Irish province.

Cardiff has looked strong in attack, but their defence has been inconsistent at times.

Cardiff will be favourites going into the derby match against the Dragons, but they will need key players such as Sheedy, Ben Thomas, and Josh Adams to step up and make a real impact.

Sheedy, in particular, has been pivotal for the side since joining at the start of the year, as he plays a vital role in orchestrating the team’s potent attack.

Cardiff appears solid, and a victory over the Dragons would go a long way towards proving their progression.

Dragons RFC

The Dragons have been a frustrating team to watch so far this year.

There is immense potential at Rodney Parade, but they have struggled to translate that promise into results.

With only one win to their name, Dragons fans will be disappointed to see their team near the bottom of the table.

Often, they find themselves within touching distance of victory, yet they struggle to close out games.

After a long break, they will aim to reset and climb the table during the second stint of the season.

The fact that it is a derby game will provide the side with confidence, as they defeated the Ospreys in the season’s opening game back in September.

However, the Dragons will have to cope without their skipper, Ben Carter, who is sidelined with an injury for the foreseeable future.

This puts the onus on key players such as Joe Westwood, Aaron Wainwright, and Rio Dyer to step up.

The performances of these key players will be critical in determining the match’s outcome.

Taine Basham, a formidable force on the rugby pitch, will also look to deliver a strong display, especially with a Six Nations call-up on his mind, as he will feel aggrieved at not being picked for the autumn squad.

Even though results have not gone their way, the Dragons should feel optimistic about making the trip to Cardiff and causing an upset.

The Bets

Derby day always brings intriguing betting options, and Saturday’s contest is no exception.

The best bet is Cardiff to win by more than 12 points. Judging by the two squads on paper, Cardiff should secure a solid win at Arms Park.

There is also good value in betting on the total number of points exceeding 52.5, as both teams have shown an ability to score at a high rate and are known for their expansive play.

For those interested in a long shot, backing the total number of tries to exceed 7.5 is a reasonable gamble, as both sides are attack-minded and can occasionally be defensively vulnerable.

This potential for high-scoring action should make the match even more thrilling for fans.

• Best Bet: Cardiff to win by more than 12 points – 10/11
• Value Bet: Total points over 52.5 – 6/4
• Long Shot Bet: Total tries over 7.5 – 3/1

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