Leinster v Clermont European Champions Cup, Prediction Preview & Odds

We have a Leinster v Clermont prediction for you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of their opening fixture in the European Champions Cup.

How To Watch Leinster v Clermont

When is Leinster v Clermont

5.30 pm, Saturday, December 14th

TV Channel

RTÉ 2, RTÉ Player and Premier Sports 1

Who are the officiating team?

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace (England), Jamie Leahy (England)

TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)

Where is Leinster v Clermont

Aviva Stadium

Leinster v Clermont Odds

Leinster are currently priced at 1/100 to win this game; Clermont are big outsiders with odds of 14/1 favourite and the draw is seen as a 100/1 shot.

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14 Points Ahead Early Payout Odds

Leinster @ 1/250

Clermont @ 12/1

Handicap Betting

Leinster: -26 @ 10/11

Clermont + 26 @ 10/11

Handicap Draw: -26 @ 18/1

Team News

Leinster Team News

Ciarán Frawley was withdrawn at half-time against Bristol Bears with a back injury and will require further assessment but is unavailable for selection.

James Lowe: is unavailable after picking up a calf injury and is due for further assessment this week. Hugo Keenan: is unavailable for selection after picking up a wrist injury and is unavailable for the next few weeks.

No Further Updates:

Dan Sheehan, Rob Russell, Will Connors, Jamie Osborne and Tadhg Furlong.

v Clermont Team News

TBC

Leinster v Clermont Preview

Leinster Form

Leinster would not have been happy with their 2023 season, with their sole success coming with a 2024 Irish Shield victory. However, after finishing third on the URC table they would lose 25-20 to Bulls in the Semi-Final and the Champions Cup, and they lost to Toulouse 31-22 in the final.

Leinster have started the 2024 season impeccably though with seven victories from their opening seven United Rugby Championship fixtures and six try bonus point wins. They sit top of the URC table and four points clear of the chasing pack. They also opened their Champions Cup campaign with a 12-35 victory over Bristol Bears with new man Jordie Barrett debuting for the side.

Despite having a rotated squad last weekend for their victory and having the largest squad depth in Europe they’re likely to be at full strength for this game hence their status as heavy favourites.

Clermont Form

Clermont are not the force in European Rugby that they once were and in the 23/24 Top-14 season, they only finished 8th in the league meaning they received the last Champions Cup playoff spot one point ahead of Pau. In Europe, they played in the Challenge Cup coming second in their pool behind Gloucester but ahead of Edinburgh, Castres Black Lion and Scarlets. In the Round of 16, they won 27-22 against the Cheetahs 53-14 in the Quarters before being eliminated in the Semi-Final narrowly 32-31 against the Sharks.

This season looks to be more promising though with five wins and four defeats so far this season putting them sixth in the Top-14 and only 7 and 6 points behind the top two Toulouse and Bordeaux. They opened their Champions Cup journey with a 28-0 win over Benetton though this is a considerably tougher task.

Clermont have actually won the last three games between these sides, but these are different types and they will do well to be competitive at the weekend .

Leinster v Clermont Rugby Head-To-Head

All-Time Head-To-Head Record

Clermont and Leinster first played each other in 2010 in the Champions Cup where Leinster ran out 29-28 winners.

From the 7 Matches between both sides, Leinster have been victorious four times and Clermont have won on three occasions.

Head-To-Head Results Last Five Matches

2017: Clermont won 27-22  in the Champions Cup 2012: Clermont won 21- 28 in the Champions Cup 2012: Clermont  won 15-12 in the Champions Cup 2012: Leinster won 15-19  in the Champions Cup 2010: Leinster won 24-8  in the Champions Cup

Trends

Clermont have won three of the last five matches between both teams.

Key Players

Caelan Doris - Ireland

The Leinster man and recent Irish Captain (26) is likely to return to the fold for his province following the completion of the Autumn Nations Series where he was one of Ireland’s standout performers across all games and is as integral to this Leinster side.

He came off the bench last weekend against Bristol and picked up where he let off with his work rate, carrying ability and defensive workload. Expect him to return to the starting lineup at the weekend.

Peceli Yato– Clermont

The Fijian Flanker (31) has been at the club for a decade has made 115+ appearances and has racked up 210 points. Last weekend he scored two tries in their 28-0 victory over Benetton and another big performance from him will be needed this coming weekend.

Leinster v Clermont Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Leinster 35-12 Clermont

Leinster are the best team in European Rugby at the moment and with their International Stars all likely to be returning at the weekend they will be an even more dangerous force to be reckoned with at the weekend.

Clermont are on an upward trajectory but are still not quite the force it once were and will need their entire squad to be at their best at the weekend if they’re to lay a glove on this Leinster side.

Leinster should win but don’t rule out a fast start from Clermont.

Best Bet: Clermont First Try @ 5/2

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

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