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Dragons vs Lyon Predictions - Lyon to bounce back with a win over the Dragons

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 47 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 47 minutes ago

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Lyon have lost 5 consecutive away matches.
Dragons have extended their winless run to 20 games in all competitions.
Lyon are predicted to cover the handicap.

Lyon have an opportunity to win their first EPCR Challenge Cup match of the seaso this weekend (Getty Images)

Dragons extended their winless run with another defeat in their recent European Challenge Cup outing, and are also on a lengthy run without a win at home. Lyon fell short in their opening pool.

Lyon have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Lyon have lost 5 consecutive away games (Top 14).
Dragons are winless in their last 20 fixtures in all competitions.
Dragons are winless in their last 14 home games in all competitions.

Head to Head

Lyon has a slight edge with one victory to none against the Dragons.

Dragons Form

The Dragons struggled in the first half against Perpignan last weekend, conceding two converted tries and a penalty to trail by 17-0 at half-time.

The Dragons improved in the second half, scoring three tries and a conversion, but lost their opening European Challenge Cup match 41-17 to Perpignan away from home.

The Dragons have lacked consistency in their last five home games. They lost 31-23 to the Scarlets, drew 17-17 with the Sharks, lost 24-17 to Cardiff, and drew 19-19 with the Ospreys before losing 24-10 to Leinster.

The Dragons are 15th in the United Rugby Championship standings with five points from six matches.

The Dragons are still searching for an elusive victory to end their poor run of results, which includes 14 games at home without a win.

Lyon Form

Lyon scored a converted try in the first half against Newcastle in their opening EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 2 match last weekend, but trailed by six points at the break.

Lyon could only muster another converted try in the second half, losing 23-14 to Newcastle at home.

Lyon have suffered defeat in their last five home matches. They lost 40-15 to Pau, 32-20 to Bordeaux, 35-13 to Montpellier, 54-21 to Toulon, and 22-20 to Bayonne.

Lyon occupy 12th place in the Top 14 standings with 23 points from 11 games.

Lyon have not had much success on their travels lately, but they will have the belief they can come away with the points when they take on a hapless Dragons in Wales on Sunday.

Team News

Dragons

Head Coach Filo Tiatia has commented that he expects his team to respond against Lyon after their recent performance in the EPCR Challenge Cup: “As a group we know it was unacceptable around some of the things we said we were going to do, but didn’t do.

“It’s an exciting opportunity this weekend to move forward. We’ve taken some good learnings and know we just can’t have a day off when we perform in this jersey.

“We go up against Lyon at our home pitch with an opportunity to make some wrongs right."

The Dragons have strengthened their squad by signing Doncaster Knights hooker George Roberts ahead of this weekend’s European clash.

Wales international Aaron Wainwright is expected to start against Lyon.

Lyon

Arthur Mathiron and Beka Shvangiradze crossed the try line against Newcastle last weekend.

Paddy Jackson landed both conversions in the match.