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Newcastle vs Lions Predictions - Newcastle to prevail against the Lions

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 2 hours ago

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Newcastle have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures.
Lions struggle away, with 15 losses in their last 17 travels.
Predictions favour Newcastle to cover the handicap.

Newcastle won their opening EPCR Challenge Cup match last weekend (Getty Images)

Newcastle left it late to win their opening European Challenge Cup fixture last weekend, but they are on a losing streak at home. The Lions fell short in their first fixture in Pool 2 and have struggled to win away.

Newcastle have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Newcastle have lost 4 consecutive home games in all competitions.
Lions have won 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
Lions have lost 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions.

Head to Head

The Lions have a slight edge with one victory to none against Newcastle.

Newcastle Form

Newcastle scored two penalties and a converted try in the first half of their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Lyon last weekend, taking a five-point lead into the break.

Newcastle added two tries in the last ten minutes of the second half to snatch a 23-14 victory against Lyon away from home.

Newcastle defeated Harlequins 26–14 before losing 39–17 to Saracens, 36–19 to Northampton Saints, and then suffering back-to-back defeats to Leicester Tigers, 10–8 and 39–17, in their last five home matches in all competitions.

Newcastle Red Bulls are last in the Premiership standings with no points after six rounds.

Newcastle will be pleased to have started their campaign on the right note and will look to make the most of their home-ground advantage to secure the points when they host a Lions side that frequently struggles on the road.

Lions Form

The Lions scored a penalty and a converted try in the first half against Benetton in their European Challenge Cup match last weekend, going into half-time with a slender two-point advantage.

The Lions added a try and a penalty to their points tally in the second half but lost 26-18 to Benetton at home.

The Lions lost 47-31 to the Cheetahs, 33-20 to Cardiff, 22-20 to Zebre, and 41-15 to Benetton before defeating the Bulls 43-22 in their last five away games.

The Lions are in 7th place in the United Rugby Championship standings with 16 points from six matches.

Lions have not had much success on their travels in recent seasons, losing 15 of their last 17 fixtures; however, they will be aware that Newcastle are on a four-match losing streak at home.

Team News

Newcastle

Head coach Alan Dickens was pleased with how his team conducted themselves away from home last weekend. He said: "... the way we controlled the tempo of the game, we didn't give away one penalty, we didn't give away a point. To be away from home and for us not to concede was absolutely massive.

"The character we showed will encourage us and show that we can hold teams out and then capitalise and take our chances when we get back on the front foot.

"That determination and character when we were defending was fantastic."

Predicted starting XV: Boeta Chamberlain, Oli Spencer, Alex Hearle, Ethan Grayson, Harrison Obatoyinbo, Brett Connon, Sam Stuart, Adam Brocklebank, George McGuigan, Murray McCallum, Oscar Usher, Jamie Hodgson, Tom Gordon, Tom Christie, Amanaki Mafi

Lions

Lions flanker Jarod Cairns has expressed that the team is aiming to deliver a strong showing against Newcastle Red Bulls this weekend. He said: “As a player group heading over we are very fired up. There are guys who want to go there and prove that they do deserve their opportunity. But we are going as a collective and we just want to get a good result there. Especially after the result on the weekend.”