Sharks vs Clermont Prediction & Betting Tips - Challenge Cup

Prediction published on 03/05/2024, 03:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 03/05/2024 at 04:43 in Challenge Cup Predictions

Sharks are the top seeds in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. They host Clermont who are seeded fourth for a place in the final. The top four seeds have reached the semi-finals and the winners of this tie will face either Gloucester or Benetton in the final on May 24. Sharks are bidding to become the first South African team to win the European Rugby Challenge Cup. They are only 13th in the United Rugby Championship with four wins and 11 defeats. Three of those wins have come in their last four matches so they are in good form at present. They have fared much better in this competition and won Pool 1  to qualify for the knockout stages with both their home games won and only 14 points conceded. The last 16 saw them beat Zebre Parma 45-3 at home and they then defeated Edinburgh 36-30 (also at home) to reach this semi-final.

Clermont have won this competition three times and only Harlequins have also achieved that feat. Their last win was in 2019, 20 years after their first success in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The French side are 11th in Top 14 and only eight points above the relegation zone. They finished second in Pool 2 with three of their four matches being won. The only loss came away to eventual pool winners Gloucester who they could meet in the final. In the knockout stages, Clermont have beaten Cheetahs and Ulster, both being home fixtures. Only two of their 11 away games in Top 14 have been won this season. With home advantage we tip Sharks to get the win.