Toulouse vs Bayonne Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Parc Olympique Lyonnais will play host to both Top 14 semi-finals this season, starting on Friday night with a showdown between reigning French champions Toulouse and Bayonne.

Having suffered European Champions Cup semi-final heartbreak at the hands of eventual champions Bordeaux, Toulouse will be doing all they can to avoid a repeat against Bayonne in Lyon this week.

Toulouse vs Bayonne Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Toulouse	1/12
Best Bet	Toulouse -16.5 handicap	10/11
Bet Builder	Toulouse to win both halves, Toulouse first to 10 points & First try converted - No	11/2

Key Match Stats

• The last six meetings between these sides has been won by the home team
• Toulouse were the top scorers during the regular season with 891 points at an average of 34.2 points per game
• Bayonne’s last win against Toulouse away from home was back in May 2021
• The last meeting between these sides ended in a 41-6 win for Toulouse in February

Toulouse vs Bayonne Prediction

Best Bet: Toulouse -16.5 handicap @ 10/11

Finishing the regular season top of the standings, Toulouse once again showed they are a force to be reckoned with in the French top flight.

Bordeaux are the new kids on the block following their outstanding performances in Europe and they might well be Toulouse’s potential opponent in the Grand Final.

However, first things first and Toulouse will be giving Bayonne their full attention in Lyon this Friday before any thought of a Grand Final game at the Stade de France.

Toulouse last faced Bayonne back in February during the midst of the Six Nations, so many of their France stars were away on international duty.

Still, it was a commanding performance from Les Rouge et Noir, as they put Bayonne to the sword with a 41-6 victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

With their French internationals back and ready for one final push for silverware, Toulouse look capable of not just winning but covering a sizeable -16.5 handicap in the process.

Alex Jack explains:

Toulouse show up for these Top 14 knockout games and they should have the experience and the quality to send Bayonne packing.

Toulouse vs Bayonne Bet Builder Tip

• Toulouse to win both halves
• Toulouse first to 10 points
• First try converted - No

Pays 11/2

This Bet Builder is built on the premise that this Toulouse side will look to put the result beyond doubt as quickly as possible.

In the last meeting between these sides in February, Toulouse scored the opening try of the game in the 15th minute and went on to score two more tries before the half-time whistle.

Once Les Rouge et Noir smell blood they normally don’t let up, which suggests the reigning champions can win both halves after becoming the first side to reach 10 points in this semi-final.

What boosts this Bet Builder to an eye-catching 11/2 is the first conversion to be missed. 

Toulouse’s regular kicker Thomas Ramos has had his injury issues this season, which could come into play from the tee.

Alternative option, fly-half Romain Ntamack, is no slouch either when it comes to goal-kicking but he does have the tendency to be more wayward. 

With that in mind, and with Toulouse expected to score the opening try of the game, any rustiness with the boot could see the reigning champions miss the opening conversion of the game.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Alex Jack adds:

A wayward kick from either Romas or Ntamack and a blistering start from Toulouse provides an attractive price in this Bet Builder.

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Tactics, Form and Team News

Toulouse are still without some key figures, with scrum-half and skipper Antoine Dupont and Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn remaining sidelined.

This side have the power and experience in the forwards and the blistering pace in the backline to cause any team problems.

Expected Toulouse XV: Neti, Marchand, Merkler, Brennan, Flament, Cros, Willis, Leonch, Graou, Ntamack, Mallia, Chocobares, Costes, Capuozzo, Ramos.

Manu Tuilagi was missing for the win over Clermont Auvergne last time out and is a doubt for the semi-final.

Bayonne will have to play smart if they are to get one over Toulouse and their defence will have to be on point to stop the dangerous runners the opposition possess.

Expected Bayonne XV: Cormenier, Bosch, Tagi, Iturria, Moon, Bruni, Chouzenoux, Cassiem, Rouet, Segonds, Carreras, Mori, Maqala, Spring, Tiberghien.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.