Edinburgh vs Leinster Prediction: Title chase begins for the two teams

Edinburgh will square it off at DAM Health Stadium against Leinster in week one encounter of the United Rugby Championship. The previous time these two teams faced, Leinster secured a 9-margin win. Can Edinburgh win this fixture for the first time since 2019?

Edinburgh will enter the new season with hopes after failing to make playoffs last season. In 18 league matches played in the regular season, this team accumulated just 49 points, one point adrift of the playoffs side, Ospreys. In the meantime, their run of matches into the new season saw Edinburgh lose consecutive matches against Benetton and Munster. However, this team secured wins over Zebre, Cardiff Rugby, and Scarlets in three of their last five games.

Leinster will hope for luck this new season after not getting past playoffs the previous season. In 18 league matches, this team accumulated 65 points, just three adrift of first-placed Munsters, which saw them finish third in the standings. In the meantime, despite a 43-20 commanding win over Ulster in the quarterfinal stage of the playoffs, this team lost by five margin points to Bulls in the semis. Heading into the new season, Leinster have two wins in their last five matches. 

Leinster are just too good in this fixture, and despite being at home, I do not see Edinburgh defeating them in this game. While this is an opening game, there could be a high level of performance from Edinburgh, and at home, they will look to get positive results. Still, I do not believe they are in a strong position to defeat the solid Leinster in this opener in a game with the potential of having many offensive plays.