Benetton Treviso vs Lions Prediction & Betting Tips - Challenge Cup

Prediction published on 05/04/2024, 07:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 06/04/2024 at 05:54 in Challenge Cup Predictions

Benetton will play host to the Lions in the round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon. Many of Benetton's Italian internationals are likely still riding high after their impressive performances in this year's Six Nations tournament. Consequently, the Lions will need to bring their A-game if they hope to overcome the motivated hosts. This meeting marks the second encounter between the two sides in Italy this season, following Benetton's victory in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash late last year. The Treviso-based club has been aiming to build on their recent strong showings in the competition, culminating in a semi-final defeat last season to eventual champions RC Toulon. With the talented 25-year-old British player Umaga, who has converted 14 out of 15 kicks in the pool stage, Benetton Rugby clinched the top spot in Pool 2 and has set their sights on reaching the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24th. With a successful season on two fronts, including winning three of their four Challenge Cup games and securing sixth place in the URC, Benetton's structured and tactical approach makes them a formidable opponent and may provide them with a slight advantage over the visiting Lions.

The Lions finished fourth in Pool 2 with a record of two wins and two losses. They achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first South African team to defeat Connacht in Galway with a remarkable 38-14 bonus-point victory on March 23rd. However, their elation was short-lived as they suffered a setback, missing out on a chance to secure a spot in the United Rugby Championship play-off positions following a 29-21 loss to the Ospreys in Swansea last Saturday. Now, the Johannesburgers are gearing up for a crucial Challenge Cup playoff against Benetton in Treviso, aiming to reclaim their dominance. With a challenging URC run-in ahead, featuring home fixtures against Leinster, Munster, Cardiff, and Glasgow, as well as an away clash against the Stormers, climbing up the URC table will be a daunting task. Therefore, the Challenge Cup presents their best opportunity for silverware and qualification for the Champions Cup.