The Aucklanders have won the last five matches between the Blues and the Lions as the last time the Lions beat the Blues was in 2006.

Both teams are sitting at the bottom of the table and both are on losing streaks. The Blues have lost their last seven matches while the Lions have lost their last eight matches.

Both teams have won one match all season but as the Lions have had two byes they are ahead of the Blues by two points in the Super Rugby standings.

Out of the last 10 matches between the teams the Lions have won 1 and the Blues have won nine.

The Blues have played the Lions 14 times and they have won 11 times and lost three times. That means that the Blues have won 79% of their matches against the Lions.

On average when the Blues and Lions play each other the Blues score 35 points and the Lions score 20 points.

The Blues have played the Lions at home in Auckland (Albany once) six times and the Lions have won one and lost five times.

In Auckland (incl. Albany) when the Blues play the Lions on average the Blues score 30 points and the Lions score 13 points.

The Lions have played 36 matches in New Zealand and they have won 3 matches. That translates to them winning 8% of their matches in New Zealand.

If the Lions history against the Blues is not bad enough there is another strange factor that comes in for consideration. For no real reason that we can see most Super Rugby teams struggle when they are in their second match on tour and this is the second week on tour for the Lions.

The Bookies have given the Lions a 10 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. History is really against the Lions this week. The home team should be able to end their losing streak and the Blues should win by 7.

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

Average score: Blues 35 Lions 20

Last five results
04 Mar 2011 Blues v Lions 41-32 Johannesburg
08 May 2010 Blues v Lions 56-14 Johannesburg
10 Apr 2009 Blues v Lions 36-12 Auckland
23 Feb 2008 Blues v Lions 55-10 Johannesburg
10 Mar 2007 Blues v Lions 41-14 Auckland
06 May 2006 Blues v Lions 33-34 ohannesburg

Blues overall record against the Lions
Played 14 , Wins 11 , Losses 3, Draws 0

Match No.74 : Blues v Lions
Date Friday 11 May
Venue : Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Bryce Lawrence
Assistant Ref 2:Sheldon Eden Whaitiri
TMO : Ben Skeen

Teams

Blues

1. Tevita Mailau 2. Tom McCartney 3. Charlie Faumuina 4. Liaki Moli 5. Ali Williams 6. Daniel Braid 7. Luke Braid (c) 8. Peter Saili 9. Piri Weepu 10. Gareth Anscombe 11. Benson Stanley 12. Michael Hobbs 13. Ma 'a Nonu 14. David Raikuna 15. Hadleigh Parkes (WTG)

Replacements : 16 James Parsons (WTG) 17 Angus Ta 'avao (WTG) 18 Filo Paulo 19 Steven Luatua (WTG) 20 Alby Mathewson 21 Lachie Munro 22 Sherwin Stowers

WTG = Wider Training Group

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee,14 Deon Van Rensburg,13 Lionel Mapoe,12 Jaco Taute,11 Michael Killian,10 Elton Jantjies,9 Ross Cronje,8 Joshua Strauss (c),7 Grant Hattingh,6 Derick Minnie,5 Ruan Botha,4 Franco Van der Merwe,3 Patric Cilliers,2 Callie Visagie,1 JC Janse van Rensburg

Reserves: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout,17 CJ Van der Linde,18 Cobus Grobbelaar,19 Jaco Kriel,20 Tian Meyer,21 Ruan Combrinck,22 James Kamana