The Queensland Reds have won the last three matches between Crusaders and the Reds but all of those victories came in Brisbane, Queensland - this week the the Crusaders are at home.

The first of those three recent victories ended an 11 match losing streak for the Reds against the Crusaders.

Between 1999 (in a Super 12 Semi-final) and May 2009 the two teams played each other eleven times and every match was won by the Crusaders.

In February 2010 the Reds ended that run by beating the Crusaders 20-41.

The Crusaders and the Reds have played each other 18 times over the years and the Crusaders have won 12 and lost 8 times. That translates to the Crusaders winning 66.7% of their matches against the Reds.

On average when the Crusaders play the Reds they score 29 points and the Red score 23 points.

The Crusaders have played the Reds in Christchurch and Nelson a combined 7 times and the Crusaders have won six times. That works out to the Crusaders winning 86% of their matches against the Reds in New Zealand.

The one and only time the Reds won in Christchurch was way back in March 1999 and they won 23-36.

The average score when the Crusaders play the Reds in New Zealand is Crusaders 37 Reds 18.

The Crusaders have hit form in recent weeks and they have won their last three matches. They were unlucky to lose to the Bulls in South Africa due to an obstruction ruling by the referee - who has dropped off the officials list since then.

The Reds have also started to find their form as a few players have started returning from injury but their form is not at the same level as the Crusaders have shown in recent weeks. At the time of writing the Crusaders had not named their team as the match is on Sunday.

The Reds should not be written off at all though as last week they beat the Blues in Auckland for the first time in Super Rugby history.

The Bookies have given the Reds a 14 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. The Crusaders are just too strong currently. They are chasing the Highlanders who are away this week. The Crusaders will be sure to make the most of their home advantage - especially since it's a sell out. Crusaders should win by 15 points or more.

This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and will not be shown in the UK.

Average score:Crusaders 29 Reds 23

Last five results
09 Jul 2011 Final Crusaders v Reds 13-18 Brisbane
29 May 2011 Crusaders v Reds 16-17 Brisbane
19 Feb 2010 Crusaders v Reds 20-41 Brisbane
08 May 2009 Crusaders v Reds 32-12 Christchurch
10 May 2008 Crusaders v Reds 27-21 Brisbane

Crusaders overall record against the Reds.
Played 18 , Wins 12 , Losses 6, Draws 0

Match No 73 : Crusaders v Reds
Date Sunday 6 May
Venue : Christchurch
Kick Off : 16:00 NZT, 14:00 AEST, 06:00 SAST
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 1:Vinny Munro
Assistant Ref 2:Kane McBride
TMO:Matthew Muir

Teams

Reds

1. Greg Holmes,2. James Hanson ,3. James Slipper,4. Rob Simmons,5. James Horwill (c),6. Jake Schatz,7. Liam Gill,8. Scott Higginbotham,9. Will Genia (vc),10. Ben Lucas,11. Digby Ioane,12. Mike Harris,13. Anthony Faingaa,14. Dom Shipperley,15. Luke Morahan,

Replacements : 16. Saia Faingaa,17. Albert Anae,18. Adam Wallace-Harrison,19. Radike Samo,20. Eddie Quirk,21. Nick Frisby,22. Rod Davies

Crusaders

1. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Luke Romano , 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Tom Taylor , 11. Zac Guildford , , 12. Dan Carter , , 13. Robbie Fruean , , 14. Sean Maitland/Adam Whitelock,15. Israel Dagg

Reserves , 16. Ben Funnell , 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Samuel Whitelock , 19. Richie McCaw , 20. Willi Heinz , 21. Ryan Crotty , 22. Tom Marshall