Final four.

The Heineken Champions Cup returns next weekend with just four teams remaining as we look to crown our European champion for 2021.

Leinster, Toulouse, La Rochelle and Bordeaux-Begles are the four sides remaining but who do we think will go all the way?

According to Mr. Play betting odds, Leinster and Toulouse are the favourites to win the tournament with odds 2.10, respectively, 2.60. La Rochelle are priced in at 6.00, while Bordeaux-Begles is the least favourite with odds of 11.00. New players can bet on these games with a €/£10 free bet by using promo code TOPMAX upon registration – details here.

But who do we think will win?

Leinster may be the favourites but their path to the final is not an easy one. Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle are probably the form side in Europe right now, hot on the back of a demolition of Sale Sharks and could really cause Leo Cullen’s side some problems.

The Irish province defeated reigning champions Exeter in the quarter-finals but their trip to France will not be an easy one. We still reckon Leinster will make the final but don’t bank on it. Nothing is guaranteed at this level.

In the other semi-final, it’s hard to look past a Toulouse win. Bordeaux have impressed in the competition so far, defeating one of the favourites in Racing 92 in the quarter-finals but a semi-final date with the four-time champions might be a step too far for them.

Come the final, as we all know – it’s anyone’s game but if we to put a potential safe bet down we’d stick our cash on Leinster but if you want to live a bit more dangerously – there’s every reason La Rochell could be crowned champions.

Either way, we cannot wait for the semi-finals next weekend. Two absolute cracking fixtures to look forward to.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP SEMI-FINALS
(Kick-offs local time)

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Bègles
Saturday 1 May – Stade Ernest Wallon (16.00)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng); Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (Eng), Adam Leal (Eng); TMO: Tom Foley (Eng); Citing Commissioner: Ed Kenny (Ire)

La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby
Sunday 2 May – Stade Marcel Deflandre (16.00)
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng); Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (Eng), Jack Makepeace (Eng); TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng); Citing Commissioner: Dave Guyan (Eng)