Bordeaux Begles vs Harlequins Prediction: Begles will not disappoint at home

Bordeaux Begles will welcome Harlequins in the quarterfinals of the European Rugby Champions Cup. The victorious team will face an away match in the semifinals against either Stade Toulousain or Exeter Chiefs, the top seeds. How do you think this match will conclude?

Bordeaux Begles enter the knockout stages as the fourth seed, edging out their opponents, Harlequins, by one place. Their dominance was evident in Pool A, where they secured victory in three out of four games. Remarkably, they consistently amassed a high number of points, scoring at least 36 in each match. Even in defeat against the Bulls in South Africa, they managed to notch up 40 points. In the last 16, they faced Saracens, whom they had previously defeated at home during the pool stages, and once again demonstrated their superiority by putting 55 points past them. Their recent victory over the English Premiership side, with a scoreline of 45-12, further exemplifies their formidable form. In the Top 14, Bordeaux Begles currently occupy the sixth position and have clinched victory in eight out of ten home games in the league.

Harlequins faced a tougher challenge in the last 16, but they will undoubtedly be satisfied with their performance at Twickenham Stoop in London. Despite a narrow victory, with a final score of 28-24 against Glasgow Warriors, they held a comfortable 14-point lead at halftime. Qualifying for the knockout stages, the English Premiership side secured the second spot in Pool B, trailing behind Stade Toulousain. Notably, they displayed resilience in their away matches, narrowly clinching victories against Racing Metro 92 and Cardiff Rugby. Currently positioned fourth in the English Premiership, Harlequins hold the final qualifying place for the end-of-season playoffs. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, with two losses in their last three league games, including defeats in three out of their last four away fixtures.

Bordeaux Begles present a formidable challenge at home, boasting both resilience and high-scoring prowess. Their recent comprehensive home win in the last 16 underscores their strength on home turf, making another victory in the quarterfinals seem probable. In contrast, Harlequins faced a tough battle against Glasgow Warriors in the previous competition, having to withstand a comeback to secure the win. Furthermore, their away performance has been inconsistent, marked by several recent losses. Given Bordeaux Begles' heightened focus and home advantage, I anticipate them to clinch a handicap win in what promises to be yet another high-scoring encounter.