Emirates Lions v Lions betting tips: Tourists should be too strong

Preview and odds for Saturday’s match

The British and Irish Lions play their first match since arriving in South Africa and we have studied the odds to highlight some Emirates Lions v Lions betting tips.

Warren Gatland’s side beat Japan 28-10 at Murrayfield before departing, although victory came at a cost with injury ruling skipper Alun Wyn Jones out of the tour.

Saturday’s match in Johannesburg is on Sky Sports and kicks off at 5pm BST.

Emirates Lions v British and Irish Lions odds

The Lions should be full of confidence after a convincing win over Japan and they are 1/33 to make it back-to-back victories.

Conor Murray is taking over as skipper from Jones but Stuart Hogg (pictured below) will captain the tourists for their opening fixture in South Africa.

Hogg was dropped by Exeter for the closing stages of their Gallagher Premiership title push but the Scotland skipper has been thrust into Gatland’s team at the first available opportunity.

The 29-year-old full-back only linked up with the squad after Saturday’s Premiership final defeat by Harlequins and has been given an immediate chance to press for Test selection.

He is joined in the backline by Scotland team-mate Finn Russell, who forms an intriguing 10-12 axis with Owen Farrell – one of his rivals for the fly-half duties against the Springboks.