Chiefs v Reds: Super Rugby Friday Preview

Friday throws up what should be a cracking contest as the top two teams on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder go head-to-head with the Chiefs hosting the Reds in Hamilton.

Both teams have enjoyed strong starts to the season, with the Reds currently leading the way with 23 points from their first six games, while the Chiefs are only a point behind.

The Reds and the Chiefs have won five of their opening six games and now all eyes will descend on FMG Stadium Waikato for what should be a riveting contest between two of the best teams in the competition.

Reds to see how they stack up

Playing last season’s Super Rugby Pacific runners-up in their own backyard will be a great acid test for the Reds to see how they rate against one of the best in the business.

Battling to a 28-24 victory over an improving Western Force side in Brisbane last time out, the Reds will know they will have to step up their game if they are to come away from Hamilton with the spoils this weekend.

The Reds do have a decent record in this fixture, winning three of their last four regular-season games against the Chiefs, including both of the last two encounters between these sides.

Despite that record, the Reds are the 4.50 underdogs to claim the victory on Friday night.

Hamilton a fortress for Chiefs

While the Reds have had their success in this fixture, much of that has been on Australian soil and the Chiefs have proven to be much more formidable on their own patch.

The Chiefs have won their last three Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Reds at FMG Waikato Stadium, with strong first-half performances being key to their success.

Across the last three matches between these sides in Hamilton, a 66-16 aggregate scoreline emerges from just the first halves combined of those games in favour of the Chiefs.

A side who have won 19 of their last 21 Super Rugby Pacific games at home, the Chiefs are 1.20 favourites to win on Saturday.

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Chiefs v Reds odds

Chiefs - 1.20
Draw - 34.00
Reds - 4.50

View the full market and more odds for Chiefs v Reds on site.

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.