Zebre vs Sharks
Zebre gave an excellent account of themselves in the last match when they went down 33-29 to Irish giants Leinster. They were unlucky not to win the match as some errors late in the game prevented them for causing a major upset. The Sharks had a bye in the first round and will be itching to have a go at the Italians. Zebre will be looking for redemption after they were thumped 38-6 last season by the Sharks albeit in an away fixture. The Sharks are missing half a dozen Springbok players but still have put out a strong team.
TIP: Zebre have signed more than 13 new players for this season and it was thought that it would take them some time before they gel but judging from their performance in the first round the team looks settled. The Sharks will be rusty as it is their first match but they will need to start well as the home team showed against Leinster, they are fast finishers .The bookies have Sharks as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.12, Playabets 1.10 and Sunbet 1.11
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Zebre vs Sharks
- The Sharks beat Zebre 38-6 in their only previous meeting.
Latest results for both teams
Zebre lost 33-29 to Leinster in their last match while this is the Sharks first match of the season.
PREDICTION
In order for Zebre to have any chance of causing an upset they will need their forwards to match up with the very strong Sharks pack. Despite the visitors being depleted by national call ups they still have plenty of international quality in the team. In the front row they have two Springboks props so it could be a long day for Zebre if their front row can’t match up the Sharks. Both teams have exciting backlines and it will be up to the halfback pairings to ignite the backs. I am predicting a Sharks win by less than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Zebre
15 Richard Kriel, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Erich Cronjé, 12 Enrico Lucchin, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Tiff Eden, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Taina Fox-Matamua, 7 MJ Pelser, 6 Luca Andreani, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 David Sisi (c), 3 Ion Neculai, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Paolo Buonfiglio
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Gerbrandt Grobler, 3 Thomas du Toit (c), 2 Kerron van Vurren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.12
Playabets 1.10
Sunbet 1.11
Odds comparison on the Zebre handicap :
The complete odds on the Zebre handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+16.5) 1.95
Sunbet (+16.5) 1.89
Playabets (+16.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Sharks outright win but we suggest the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+16.5) 1.95, Sunbet (+16.5) 1.89 and Playabets (+16.5) 1.81
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
