Benetton vs Zebre Prediction: Zebre should do perform well again

Stadio Comunale Monigo is set to host the upcoming United Rugby Championship match between Benetton and Zebre. In their recent five matches, Benetton has demonstrated dominance, making them the favorites once again in this encounter. Without further ado, let's delve into the match details and proceed to make a prediction.

Benetton has enjoyed a remarkable start to their URC campaign, securing six wins and a draw in their initial eight fixtures. Currently occupying the third position on the table, the Italian team stands a real chance of making the playoffs if they can sustain their impressive form. In the European Challenge Cup, Benetton has also performed reasonably well, with a 43-34 away loss to Ospreys followed by a 29-7 home victory against Perpignan in the two weeks leading up to Christmas. Notably, Benetton secured a 31-24 away win against Zebre in the URC last week, setting the stage for a rematch at home this week. The team will be eager to build on their performance from the previous week and continue their positive momentum.

Zebre, typically considered lower-tier performers in the URC, have exceeded expectations this season. Currently positioned 13th, they have secured a win and a draw in their initial eight games. In the Challenge Cup, Zebre faced a home defeat to the Cheetahs but managed to secure a 21-14 victory against Oyonnax on the road. Their recent match against Benetton resulted in a 31-24 loss, earning Zebre a valuable losing bonus point. It is likely that Zebre will enter this game with an unchanged lineup, unless affected by any injuries.

Zebre displayed a commendable level of competitiveness last week against Benetton when playing on their home turf. Although I anticipate that they might face more challenges when playing away from home, I still believe they have the capability to stay within the 18-point handicap.