Aviron Bayonnais vs Section Paloise Odds, Lines, and Spread
- Aviron Bayonnais are the 3.5-point betting favorite at home against Section Paloise in a Top 14 French rugby match that is taking place on Saturday, Jan. 16th
- Section Paloise (4-8-1) and Aviron Bayonnais (5-6-0) both hover dangerously near the bottom of the table
- Bayonne’s -107 point differential is second-worst in the Top 14
Hovering in the danger zone for relegation, both Section Paloise and Aviron Bayonnais will be looking for much-needed points when they clash in a Top 14 French rugby union match on Saturday (Jan. 16th, 3:00 pm ET)
These two clubs have both been heading in the wrong direction in recent weeks. Section Paloise has lost seven of their last eight matches. Aviron Bayonnais has dropped two straight contests and three of their last five.
Section Paloise (4-8-1) is 11th in the table. Aviron Bayonnais (5-6-0) are listed as 12th, although both sides are on level 21 points for the season.
The 14th-place club at the end of the season is automatically relegated. The 13th-place side must play in the relegation playoff round.
Aviron Bayonnais are 3.5-point home favorites in this match. Bayonne is 3-2 at home this season.
Section Paloise vs Aviron Bayonnais Top 14 Rugby Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section Paloise | +128 | +3.5 (-122) | OFF |
| Aviron Bayonnais | -175 | -3.5 (-108) | OFF |
Odds taken Jan. 13th at DraftKings.
Kickoff for the Jan. 16th match is slated for a 3pm EST kickoff at Stade Jean Dauger. This contest was pushed back from Jan. 13th due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Bayonne side.
Problems Abound
Struggling defensively, Bayonne has allowed 352 points and shows a -107 point differential. That’s second-worst among the Top 14 clubs. In their second season since gaining promotion to the Top 14, offensively they’ve collected a league-low one bonus point.
Aviron Bayonnais has scored less than 20 points in four matches so far this season.
Section Paloise has allowed 353 points, but has scored 307. While Pau are the league’s third-worst defense, they’re a middle of the pack squad offensively, situated seventh overall.
🏉🔜 Préparation du déplacement à 𝐵𝒶𝓎𝑜𝓃𝓃𝑒 !#ABSP #TOP14 #EnVertEtContreTous #GreenTeamSection pic.twitter.com/pI9GfBRORd
— SectionPaloise (@SectionPaloise) January 13, 2021
However, they’ve struggled in recent matches to put points up on the board. Section Paloise has scored 18 or fewer points in three of the last four matches.
Both clubs are just two points clear of Montpellier, the team currently occupying the first spot in the relegation zone. The two games in hand that Bayonne holds on Pau and one game on Montpellier could prove vital in the effort to stave off relegation.
Aviron Bayonnais Beefing Up
Seeking to improve their fates on the pitch, Bayonne acquired center Théo Costosseque on loan from Racing 92 until the end of the season. Costosseque left Aviron Bayonnais two years ago to join Racing.
Hâte de vous retrouver…
C’est parti pour une nouvelle semaine de travail et de travaux à Jean-Dauger ! ⚪️🔵#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/pNNPTfiwu6— Aviron Bayonnais (@avironrugbypro) January 11, 2021
They also announced the extension of the contract of Georgian international second row forward Konstantine Mikautadze through the completion of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, Section Paloise announced that hooker and interim captain Lucas Rey, 23, had agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club through the 2023 season.
Letting It Slip Away
Seventeen minutes into their last match against ASM Clermont Auvergne, Section Paloise showed a solid 22-7 advantage on the scoreboard. Then they frittered it away and ended up suffering a 42-31 loss.
📍 Arrivée des Vert et Blanc au Hameau !#SPASM #TOP14 #EnVertEtContreTous #GreenTeamSection pic.twitter.com/wueoUKUump
— SectionPaloise (@SectionPaloise) January 10, 2021
Four of Pau’s last five losses have been by six points or less. Section Paloise have given a good accounting of themselves against some of the Top 14 leaders. They were edged 24-22 by Racing 92 and fell 22-16 to frontrunners Toulouse.
Aviron Bayonnais also played Toulouse tough, falling 24-20 at home. However, Bayonne were thrashed 43-17 by Racing 92.
Pick: Section Paloise +3.5 (-122)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
