Dragons vs Benetton
The Dragons are looking for just their second win of the season and find themselves in 14th position on the log. Benetton are handily placed in 7th position with 21 points. They will however face a difficult task in this match with their team decimated by national call ups. The home team will look to Captain Ross Moriarty to inspire them as they are on a four match losing streak. Their last win was against Connacht back in October. The Italians will be led by Dewaldt Duvenage and he will have a big job of guiding a team full of inexperienced but talented players.
TIP: The match will be an opportunity for Moriarty to show that he is match fit ahead of the Six Nations. He has been send to play in the URC to prove his match fitness. If he can have a barnstorming game then the Dragons will break their win drought. The Italians have included three debutants in their squad and no doubt the experienced Dragons team will be targeting them for special treatment. The bookies have the Dragons as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.28, Playabets 1.25 and Sunbet 1.28
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Dragons vs Benetton
- Benetton have won four of the last five matches between these sides.
- Dragons have lost their last three home matches against Benetton.
- Benetton won the last match between these sides 23-9.
Latest results for both teams
Dragons lost their last match 23-9 to Benetton while Benetton lost their last match 25-10 to Lyon.
PREDICTION
The Dragons need to start recording some victories to have any chance of making the playoffs while a Benetton victory will cement their place in the top eight. The battle between the two scrumhalves, Duvenage and Gonzalo Bertranou will go a long way to deciding the winner in this match. The 9 that can better control the game with the boot will put his team on the front foot. The Dragons have great speed in their back three and they are all great counter attackers. The Italians will need to be accurate with their kicking or these three will run them ragged. The experience of the Dragons makes me predict a home win by more than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Dragons
15 Josh Lewis, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Adam Warren, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Ross Moriarty (c), 7 Ollie Griffiths, 6 Harri Keddie, 5 Joe Maksymiw, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Taylor Davies, 1 Aki Seiuli
Benetton
15 Giacomo Da Re, 14 Lorenzo Pani, 13 Filippo Drago, 12 Joaquin Riera, 11 Tommaso Benvenuti, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (c), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Marco Lazzaroni, 6 Matteo Meggiato, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Nahuel Tetaz, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Thomas Gallo
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Dragons victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.28
Playabets 1.25
Sunbet 1.28
Odds comparison on the Dragons handicap :
The complete odds on the Dragons handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.95
Sunbet (-8.5) 1.93
Playabets (-9.5) 1.88
Predictions and Odds in details
The home team will need their maul defence to be on top form as Benetton love the driving maul. It does not matter where on the field they get a lineout, their go to play of the lineout is the driving maul. The Dragons will look to play a high tempo game and keep the big Benetton pack running around the field. The Italians will not be able to match the high intensity play of the home team. The bookies are offering poor returns on the Dragons outright win therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-9.5) 1.95, Sunbet (-8.5) 1.93 and Playabets (-9.5) 1.88
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.
