Stade Toulousain vs Castres Olympique Prediction & Betting Tips - Top 14

Prediction published on 01/03/2024, 13:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/03/2024 at 01:00 in Rugby Predictions

Second placed Stade Toulousain host Castres Olympique who are third in Top 14. The top two teams go into the play-off semi-finals rather than the previous stage. Stade Toulousain are currently only behind leaders Stade Francais Paris on points difference and six points clear of Castres. They have won 11 of their 16 games in Top 14 this season. Current form for them is excellent with their last five games in Top 14 all being won.  A win here will be their eighth successive victory in all competitions. Their most recent match saw them win 37-33 away at Clermont. Home league form has seen them win all eight of their games with a massive points difference of +162. The last three at home have seen them put 152 points past their opponents but they have been against three of the bottom five in the table.

A win for Castres will boost their chances of a top two finish. They have won nine and lost seven in Top 14 this season. Their last three league matches have all been won, most recently a 41-12 home win over fourth placed Bordeaux Begles. Away form isn't good though with two wins and five defeats. Their last away fixture produced a win at Section Paloise but that ended a run of four straight defeats on the road. We back Stade Toulousain to win this and lead at both half and full time.