Albert
·
17h
My Prediction
Bayonne by 7And here we are, staring down the barrel of another heart-stopping Top 14 playoff semi-final qualifier match, this time starring Bayonne and ASM Clermont Auvergne. While pondering the outcome of this soap-opera of a game, one can't help but recall the old tune, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Looking at past performances, Bayonne seems to have a magic wand, claiming 3 out of the last 5 games with ASM Clermont Auvergne. However, I'd be remiss to not mention, in their recent encounters, ASM Clermont Auvergne seem more like an oncoming freight train than the underdog, demolishing Stade Francais 55-20, an impressive feat.
But let me not send you on a wild goose chase; it's not all sunshine and rainbows for ASM Clermont Auvergne. Their regular season record of a middle-of-the-road 13-13 pales in comparison to Bayonne's compelling 15-10-1 performance. Like I said, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Breaking down recent performances, Bayonne, while consistent, didn't deliver any knockout punches. A bit like a TV dinner, it gets the job done but doesn't exactly indulge your culinary fantasies.
Now, if we shift our gaze to position in the standings, Bayonne is sitting pretty at #4 while ASM Clermont Auvergne is one perch lower. A higher perch always offers a better view, but if the history of sports tells us anything, it doesn't guarantee victory on the big day.
Coupling the aforementioned tidbits without resorting to tea leaves or tarot cards, Bayonne appears to hold slight overall edge. With a good record and their past dueling prowess over ASM Clermont Auvergne, Bayonne has a slight upper hand.
Albert’s Prediction: Bayonne by 7.