The last time the Highlanders and the Blues played each other the Blues beat the Highlanders by a margin of 17 points.

It's highly unlikely that the same will happen this week as the team's have reversed their fortunes and the Blues are now struggling at the bottom of the table and the Highlanders are in the top six.

The Highlanders have played the Blues 18 times and won just five of those matches and lost 13 times. That means they have a 28 % success ratio against the Aucklanders.

The average score when the Highlanders and the Blues play each other is Highlanders 19 Blues 28.

When the Highlanders are playing at home the figures still favour the Blues as the Highlanders on average score 19 points and the Blues 22.

The Highlanders have hosted the Blues 9 times in Dunedin and they have won four times and the Blues have won five times. That works out to a 44% success ratio against the Blues at home.

Looking at the history between the teams the stats strongly suggest that the Blues will win this match but this season they have lost six out of their seven matches.

Last week the Sharks had home advantage but still lost to the Sharks who were playing the last match on their tour of New Zealand and Australia.

The Highlanders had the bye last week but in their last match they lost 6-21 to the Stormers at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium where the Blues have never played before.

The teams will be playing for the Gordon Hunter Memorial trophy and the current holders are the Blues.

The Bookies have given the Blues a 5 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. We think this match comes down to home advantage. The Blues aren't a bad team they are probably just trying to hard to win. The Highlanders should win by 3 points.

This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on the Sky Sports website.

Average score: Highlanders 19 Blues 28

Last five results
17 Jun 2011 Highlanders v Blues 16-33 Auckland
29 Apr 2011 Highlanders v Blues 10-15 Dunedin
19 Feb 2010 Highlanders v Blues 15-19 Dunedin
17 Apr 2009 Highlanders v Blues 6-26 Auckland
10 May 2008 Highlanders v Blues 15-40 Dunedin

Highlanders overall record against the Blues
Played 18 , Wins 5 , Losses 13 , Draws 0

Match No .55: Highlanders v Blues
Date Friday 20 April
Venue : Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Kane McBride
TMO:Vinny Munro

Teams

Highlanders:

1. Jamie Mackintosh (c), 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Chris King, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 5. Jarrad Hoeata, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. James Haskell, 8. Nasi Manu, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Mike Delany, 11. Hosea Gear, 12. Shaun Treeby, 13. Phil Burleigh, 14. Kade Poki, 15. Tamati Ellison.

Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Ma’afu Fia, 18. Doug Tietjens, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Chris Noakes, 22. Kurt Baker.

Blues

1. Tony Woodcock ,2. Tom McCartney ,3. Charlie Faumuina ,4. Ali Williams ,5. Filo Paulo ,6. Chris Lowrey ,7. Luke Braid (c) ,8. Peter Saili ,9. Alby Mathewson ,10. Gareth Anscombe ,11. Benson Stanley ,12. Ma’a Nonu ,13. Rene Ranger ,14. George Moala ,15. Hadleigh Parkes

Replacements :16 James Parsons ,17 Tevita Mailau ,18 Liaki Moli ,19 Dan Braid ,20 Piri Weepu ,21 Michael Hobbs ,22 David Raikuna