Scarlets vs Benetton Predictions - Scarlets to secure first win of the season

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 20 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 20 minutes ago

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Scarlets have won their last 11 home games against Benetton.
Benetton have lost 4 of their last 5 away matches.
Scarlets are predicted to cover the -4.5 handicap.

Scarlets are on a lengthy home winning streak against Benetton (Getty Images)

Scarlets have yet to win a URC fixture this season but regularly beat Benetton at their home stadium. Benetton are also winless this season and have struggled to win on the road recently.

Scarlets are unbeaten in their last 3 matches against Benetton (URC).
Scarlets have won 11 consecutive home games against Benetton.
Benetton have lost 4 of their last 5 away fixtures (URC).

Head to Head

Scarlets have a commanding lead over Benetton, with 21 victories to seven, including two draws in 30 meetings.

Scarlets Form

The Scarlets scored two converted tries in the first half against the Dragons last weekend to lead their hosts 14-12 at half-time.

The Turks added two tries and a conversion to their score in the second half, but it was not enough to get the result, losing 38-26 away to the Dragons.

Before that, the Welsh side faced rivals Cardiff in their United Rugby Championship season opener, losing 21-15 at home.

The Scarlets are 14th in the URC standings with two points after two rounds.

The Scarlets have lost back-to-back fixtures this season, but they have the belief they can get the result against Benetton, as they are on a lengthy winning streak against their opponents at home.

Benetton Form

Benetton scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Connacht last weekend, but trailed their opponents by five points at the break.

The Lions could only add a converted try to their score in the second stanza, losing 22-19 at home to Connacht.

Before that result, the Italian side shared the spoils in their opening URC match of the season, drawing 19-19 with the Dragons at home.

Benetton are 12th in the United Rugby Championship table with three points from two games.

Benetton dropped points in their two home matches this season and now travel to face the Scarlets, where they have lost 11 consecutive times at their opponents' stadium in Wales.

Team News

Scarlets

Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Macs Page; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Will Evans, 5 Alex Groves, 6 Sam Lousi, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Osian Williams.

Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Fletcher Anderson, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Joe Roberts, 23 Johnny Williams.

Benetton

Bautista Bernasconi scored a brace against Connacht last weekend, while Leonardo Marin contributed a try.

Jacob Umaga landed two conversions in the match.

Verdict

Scarlets v Benetton

Scarlets have an outstanding record against Benetton at home and are tipped to cover the -4.5 handicap.

Scarlets -4.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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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.