Last week it was the Munster versus Cardiff game which prevented a clean sweep of Pro12 predictions here. Let’s see how we do this week then with some interesting games, and a few which are not easy to call.

Cardiff Blues vs Glasgow Warriors

Two of the four unbeaten sides go head to head on Friday night. The Blues were impressive in their away win at Munster last week but will need to up their performance once again if they are to overcome a Warriors side which has beaten both of last year’s finalists in successive weeks. Glasgow’s attack has been devastating having scored over 70 points and with Tommy Seymour bagging a remarkable six tries in two games.

The visitors will start as favourites, however I think that this game might just provide the surprise result of the weekend. There is a new found energy and self-belief around Cardiff at the moment; they are enjoying the ‘underdog’ tag but deep down they will really fancy this one. Winning this game will lay down a very serious marker about how far they have come, and the bookies will start dramatically reducing the odds on the Blues title chances. Cardiff Blues by 6.

Ulster vs Scarlets

Ulster will expect to extend their winning start when they entertain the winless Scarlets. With a strong set-piece and an aggressive breakdown game, Ulster may just be too physical for their visitors. One can’t help feeling that the Scarlets are not far away from getting it right though; they have so much talent particularly in the backs, so when they do eventually click, their opponents are going to come a cropper.

There is little doubt that Ulster are serious title contenders this season, and although Scarlets will put in an improved performance there won’t be enough in the tank to upset the home side. Ulster by 7.

Edinburgh vs Leinster

Edinburgh got off the mark by beating the Scarlets, whilst Leinster were unfortunate to come away without a losing bonus point from their match against Glasgow. The signs are that this could be a tight game, however Leinster appear to have greater firepower in the backs, and if they can gain some parity up front, it is difficult to see them failing to score tries.

Probably a tight first hour, but thereafter Leinster will start to control possession and the scoreboard. Leinster by 10.

Newport Gwent Dragons vs Munster

The visitors will be smarting from their defeat at home to Cardiff in Round 2, particularly given their impressive performance the previous week against the Scarlets. I would expect normal Munster service to resume this week against a Dragons side which is only tending to trouble the Italian teams.

The Dragons will struggle to cope with a really aggressive line-speed defence and a forward pack who will look to dominate the breakdown area. Munster by 7.

Zebre vs Connacht

Both sides are winless after the first two weeks. Not a surprise perhaps for Zebre, but not expected of the champions. Connacht have been blown away at home by both Glasgow and the Ospreys, so it’s probably a welcome relief to get away from another pressurised game in Galway and travel to Italy to play what is probably the weaker of the two Italian sides so far.

Connacht will need to be better than they have been otherwise there could be an upset on the cards. In particular, I suspect much work will have been done defensively during the week and as a result Zebre will not have the same freedom to exploit gaps. With a perfect 12 out 12 win record against Zebre, I don’t expect it to be unlucky 13 for the Irish. Connacht by 17.

Ospreys vs Treviso

The Ospreys are perhaps fortunate to have had the two Italian teams at home so early in the season, whilst Treviso have had a very tough start. The Welsh were brilliant to watch in the last 15 minutes against Connacht; Rhys Webb provided a spark for those around him, and they showed how clinical they can be. Whilst having been beaten in both their games, Treviso have a much more solid look this season and will not capitulate in the way Zebre did at the Liberty Stadium two weeks ago. Having been narrowly beaten by Leinster and Ulster, expect them to be competitive for the first 60 minutes. Thereafter it is likely the Ospreys will start to dominate the game up front, control possession and start to build a more healthy lead through their strike runners.

Treviso have not won away from home since December 2014, whilst the Ospreys have a chance to be the first ever Pro12 team to pick up maximum points in their first three games. Ospreys by 27.

By Keith Mackenzie
Follow Keith on Twitter: @Keith_Mack7