Benetton vs Perpignan Predictions - Benetton set to win back-to-back Challenge Cup matches

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 22 minutes ago

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Brad Newcomb 22 minutes ago

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Benetton have a strong home record, winning 9 of the last 10 games.
Perpignan ended a winless streak but struggles in away matches.
Benetton are predicted to cover the handicap.

Benetton have a solid home record against Perpignan (Getty Images)

Benetton won their opening EPCR Challenge Cup game last weekend and have been getting results at home. Perpignan ended their winless streak with a victory in their Pool 2 opener.

Benetton have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Benetton have won 9 of their last 10 home games in all competitions.
Benetton have won 3 of their last 4 home matches against Perpignan.
Perpignan have lost 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions.
Perpignan have lost 6 consecutive away matches (Top 14).

Head to Head

Perpignan have a slight edge with four victories to three against Benetton in seven meetings.

Benetton Form

Benetton kept within touching distance of the Lions in the first half of their EPCR Challenge Cup clash last weekend, going into the break trailing by two points.

Benetton scored two penalties, two tries, and a conversion in the second half to record a 26-18 away victory over the Lions.

Benetton have defeated Cardiff 20–19, Glasgow 33–7 and 16–15, and the Lions 41–15, before losing 31–16 to the Stormers in their last five home matches.

Benetton sit in 12th place in the United Rugby Championship standings after six rounds with nine points.

Benetton play their best rugby at home, having won nine of their last ten fixtures, including winning three of their previous four matches against Perpignan at their stadium.

Perpignan Form

Perpignan had a solid first half in their European Challenge Cup match against the Dragons last weekend, scoring two converted tries and a penalty to lead 17-0 at half-time.

Perpignan maintained their momentum in the second half, adding four tries and a conversion to comfortably defeat the Dragons 41–17 at home.

Perpignan lost 31-8 to La Rochelle, 44-19 to Lyon, 29-22 to Montauban, 27-23 to Pau, and 23-7 to Castres in their last five away matches.

Perpignan are rooted to the bottom of the Top 14 table with one point from 11 games.

Perpignan will be pleased to have ended their lengthy run without a victory, but they are not out of the woods yet, as they have a tricky test away at Benetton to overcome.

Team News

Benetton

Flanker Manuel Zuliani recently commented on his side's victory over the Lions and their upcoming clash with Perpignan. He said: "There's definitely a positive vibe. An away win in South Africa was definitely not a given. We managed the game well and emerged victorious against the Lions.

"They're a strong team. They're a Top 14 team: they'll definitely arrive with the intention of attacking us with their forwards and in the scrum. We'll have to be good at countering them. They're also good at breaking down and playing quickly with offloads, so we'll have to be ready and block their sources of play."

Predicted starting XV: Rhyno Smith, Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin, Ignacio Mendy, Jacob Umaga, Andy Uren, Toa Halafihi, Sebastian Negri, Alessandro Izekor, Eli Snyman, Niccolò Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Thomas Gallo

Perpignan

All Blacks winger Sevu Reece will join Perpignan on a three‑year deal from next season, dependent on the club retaining Top 14 status.

Perpignan’s centre Duncan Paia’aua has been handed a four‑week ban for a dangerous tackle during their latest EPCR Challenge Cup encounter with Dragons RFC.

Predicted starting XV: Jordan Petaia, Tavite Veredamu, Freddy Duguivalu, Duncan Paia’aua, Jefferson Joseph, Gabin Kretchmann, James Hall, Giorgi Tetrashvili, Sama Malolo, Nemo Roelofse, Matteo Le Corvec, Bastien Chinarro, Mahamadou Diaby, Jamie Ritchie, Andro Dvali