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Cheetahs vs Ulster Predictions - Ulster to come out on top against the Cheetahs

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 4 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 4 hours ago

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Ulster have won 4 of their last 6 matches.
Cheetahs struggling in the competition.
Ulster are predicted to cover the handicap.

Ulster have been in decent nick away from home this season (Getty Images)

The Cheetahs have found the going tough in this edition of the European Challenge Cup, but they play their best rugby at home. Ulster have been in solid form lately and in this competition.

Ulster have won 4 of their last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
Ulster have won 2 of their last 4 away matches in all competitions.
Ulster have won 2 of their last 4 meetings against the Cheetahs.
Cheetahs have lost 5 in a row in all competitions.
Cheetahs have won 5 of their last 7 home games in all competitions.

Head to Head

Ulster have a slight edge with two victories to one over the Cheetahs, including one draw in four meetings.

Cheetahs Form

The Cheetahs failed to win their opening European Challenge Cup fixtures, losing 42-12 away to Exeter and 45-22 at home to Stade Francais.

Before that, the Cheetahs defeated Georgia 24-20, the Pumas 42-25, Western Province 31-24, and the Lions 47-31 before losing 40-10 to the Griquas in their last five home games.

The Cheetahs have struggled in the competition so far, and have another tricky test to overcome when they host Ulster on Sunday.

Ulster Form

Ulster thrashed Racing 92 61-7 in their EPCR Challenge Cup opener before losing 29-26 to Cardiff away from home.

Ulster have contested four away fixtures in the URC this season. They defeated the Sharks 34-26, lost 49-31 to the Lions, and 24-20 to Leinster before beating Connacht 29-24.

Ulster have had some success on the road this season, and will aim to exploit the suspect defence of the Cheetahs to secure the win.

Team News

Cheetahs

Head coach Frans Steyn has stated that his team will be punished if they play too much rugby against Ulster: “Ulster are currently third and are playing incredible rugby. I think we must just make sure we don’t land in a situation where we try to play too much rugby, like we would in South Africa.

“Ulster’s pressure game is fantastic. They put you under pressure and if you start playing rugby in the wrong areas, they feed off those mistakes.”

Ulster

Defence coach Willie Faloon has commented on the importance of beating the Cheetahs: "Looking forward to it, looking forward to putting in a performance there, but it's different, travelling to Amsterdam, playing against a team that we don't face regularly, it's an exciting challenge.

"We want to go as well in the Challenge Cup as we can so it's really important that we win this game and put ourselves in a good position."

Juarno Augustus is out with an ankle ligament injury, while wing Jacob Stockdale is unavailable for selection after he suffered a rib injury in the match against Munster.

Ben Moxham has been declared fit for the encounter with the Cheetahs.