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Zebre vs Montauban Predictions - Zebre to use home-ground advantage to beat Montauban

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 34 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 34 minutes ago

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Zebre hopes to leverage home advantage in their European Challenge Cup opener.
Montauban struggles with away matches, having lost all last six.
Predicted Zebre win due to Montauban's defensive vulnerabilities.

Zebre play their best rugby at home (Getty Images)

Zebre have won at home in the URC this season but did not enjoy any success in the European Challenge Cup in their previous campaign. Montauban have struggled to find their footing since their return to the Top 14.

Zebre have lost 4 consecutive fixtures (URC).
Zebre have won 2 of their last 5 home games (URC).
Montauban have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures (Top 14).
Montauban have lost 6 consecutive away games (Top 14).

Head to Head

Zebre and Montauban will meet for the first time in a competitive match.

Zebre Form

Zebre finished last in Pool 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup last season, losing all four of their fixtures.

Zebre sit 11th overall in the United Rugby Championship standings with ten points from six matches.

Zebre lost 22‑12 to Connacht, defeated Edinburgh 31‑28, and the Lions 22‑20, before losing 31‑13 to the Stormers and 29‑14 to Cardiff in their last five home matches.

Zebre have had some success at home in the URC this season, and will target the suspect defence of Montauban to start their European Challenge Cup campaign with a victory for their loyal fans.

Montauban Form

Montauban return to the European Challenge Cup for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

Montauban are rooted at the bottom of the Top 14 table with seven points from 11 matches.

Montauban lost 71‑24 to Bordeaux, 84‑31 to Clermont, 54‑19 to La Rochelle, 49‑7 to Bayonne, and 54‑28 to Toulon in their last five away games.

Montauban have found the going tough in their domestic league this season, losing all six of their away fixtures.

Team News

Zebre

Predicted starting XV: Lorenzo Pani, Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Marco Zanon, Simone Gesi, Martin Roger Farias, Alessandro Fusco, Muhamed Hasa, Tommaso di Bartolomeo, Matteo Nocera, Alessandro Ortombina, Leonardo Krumov, Davide Ruggeri, Samuele Locatelli, Giovanni Licata

Montauban

Predicted starting XV: Mouchous, Josua Vici, Maxime Espeut (c), Maxime Mathy, Paul Vallée, Thomas Fortunel, Joe Powell, Karl Wilkins, Vaea Fifita, Tomás Lezana, Nafi Ma’afu, Clément Bitz, Facundo Pomponio, Ru‑Hann Greyling, Léo Aouf