Benetton vs Connacht Predictions - Benetton to prevail against Connacht

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 28 minutes ago

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Brad Newcomb 28 minutes ago

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Benetton are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 home games.
Connacht have lost 3 straight away matches vs Benetton.
Benetton are tipped to cover the -2.5 handicap.

Benetton have had success at home against Connacht in recent seasons (Getty Images)

Benetton had to settle for a draw in their URC season opener but tend to play their best rugby on home soil. Connacht lost their opening match of their campaign and have struggled to beat Benetton away in recent seasons.

Benetton have won 3 of their last 5 fixtures (URC).
Benetton have lost once in their last 5 home matches (URC).
Connacht have lost 3 consecutive away games against Benetton.

Head to Head

Connacht have a commanding lead over Benetton, with 18 victories to eight, including one draw in 27 meetings.

Benetton Form

Benetton had a solid first half in their United Rugby Championship season opener against the Dragons last weekend, scoring three tries and two conversions to lead 19-7 at half-time.

However, the Lions failed to trouble the scoreboard in the second half, drawing 19-19 with the Dragons at home.

The Italian side lost 15-14 to Edinburgh, drew 20-20 with the Scarlets, defeated the Ospreys 31-19 at home, and lost 45-15 to Munster before beating Leinster 29-26 in their final five home matches in the URC last season.

Benetton will be unhappy with their second-half performance in their previous fixture; however, they have been in solid overall form at home, having won two, drawn two and lost one match, giving them the edge needed to come out on top.

Connacht Form

Connacht scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against the Stormers last weekend to lead 12-10 at the break.

The Galway-based side could only add a penalty to the tally in the second half, losing 29-15 to the Stormers at home in the URC season opener.

The Westerners had mixed results in their last five away matches in the URC last season. They beat Ulster 26-19 and the Stormers 33-24, lost 33-21 to the Lions, and defeated Edinburgh 26-5 before losing to the Glasgow Warriors 33-21 in the quarter-finals.

Connacht have a tricky second game of the season to contend with away to Benetton, as they have failed to win a match in their opponents' own backyard in their last three meetings.

Team News

Benetton

François Carlo Mey, Bautista Bernasconi, and Ignacio Mendy each scored a try against the Dragons last weekend.

Jacob Umaga slotted two conversions in the match.

Connacht

Ben Murphy is sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury.

Colm O’Reilly is back in full training and will likely feature against Benetton, while Caolin Blade has also returned to training.

Mick Hansen and Josh Ioane scored a try each against the Stormers last weekend.

Ben Gilbert landed a conversion and a penalty in the match.

Verdict

Benetton v Connacht

Benetton have solid form at home and are tipped to cover the -2.5 handicap in their URC clash with Connacht.

Benetton -2.5

Handicap

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Benetton Win

Result

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Brad graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bcom-Management Accounting degree and has a financial background.

His love of sport has seen him venture down the road of researching sporting history for the past several years, specifically boxing, cricket and football.

Other sports of particular interest are golf, tennis, horse racing and motorsports.

Additionally, he spends his time researching the military history of his home country of South Africa.

He is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to DJ and release music on occasion.