Western Force vs. Brumbies: Can the hosts avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat?

The Super Rugby competition has begun in the heart of Australia, with clubs preparing to grasp the chance and begin the season on a high note. It would be a thriller of an encounter with the Brumbies, with Western Forces preparing to snap the Brumbies' head-to-head winning run over them.

The Western Force has been unlucky this season, suffering a couple tight defeats. They have won two and lost three of their first five games, but they are still sixth on the leaderboard.

The Force were defeated 29-16 at home by the Reds in round three, followed by a tight loss (22-17) to the Waratahs a week later. Last week, the Perth-based team defeated Fijian Drua 20-18 to snap their losing skid.

The Western Force were defeated 29-23 by the Brumbies in Canberra on the first weekend of the competition. They'll be hoping to reverse that outcome this weekend on their own ground. The Western Force barely made it over the line last weekend, but they've picked a similar lineup for this encounter. It is a huge opportunity for them to pick up another victory.

The Brumbies are soaring high at the top of the Super Rugby standings, having won five of their last five games. They have 22 points, four more than the second-place team.

This may be a fictitious table because the Australian teams have yet to face the New Zealand franchises. In a top-of-the-table showdown last week, the Brumbies defeated the Reds 16-12. The game was tight throughout, but Canberra's game management was excellent.

The Brumbies defeated the Waratahs 27-20 at home before the win and the Rebels 36-17 on the road. This weekend, the Brumbies will rest a few important players. While Noah Lolesio is sidelined with an ankle injury, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa have taken the week off.

Nic White may also miss the game since his wife expects their third kid. If White cannot play, Lachie Albert is expected to take his place.

It was a tight encounter earlier this season, and I predict the same this time. The Brumbies have rested important players but have enough depth in their roster to cope. The Brumbies defeated the Western Force in a close game earlier this season. A similar score is forecasted, with the Brumbies winning by 12 points or less.

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