Lions vs Benetton
The Lions will be left wandering how they let the match against Connacht slip away from their grasp as they lost 33-30. Benetton on the other hand dominated for long periods of time against the Bulls in their last match and even led at half time before the Bulls came back strongly in the second half to win. Both teams are out of the running for a playoff position so they should be looking to play an open and exciting game. There is a strong South African influence in the Benetton so that should assist with hints on how to counter the altitude factor.
TIP: The Italian side showed great enterprise in the last match and it was it only the Bulls stronger bench that saw them to victory. The Lions have now lost their last two matches and in both those matches they had poor starts and gave the opponents huge leads which they could not haul in. They will again look at Captain Burger Odendaal to guide this young team. The bookies have the Lions as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.18, Playabets 1.16 and Sunbet 1.20
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Lions vs Benetton
- This is the first meeting between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Lions lost 33-30 to Connacht in their last match while Benetton lost 46-29 to the Bulls in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Lions will need to try and gain dominance over the Benetton pack so that they can lay the platform for players like Sibahle Maxwane and Edwill van der Merwe who are both devastating finishers if they are given any space to run in. The Italians have their own great speedsters in Monty Ioane and Rhyno Smith who can be a handful if not brought down early. The Benetton team is packed with Italian internationals so it won’t be easy for the Lions to dominate them. The obvious area of strength for the Lions is their scrum. If they can get an advantage in this area then they will win this match. I am predicting a Lions win by less than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Lions
15 Quan Horn, 14 Sibahle Maxwane, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Benetton
15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Irné Herbst, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Ivan Neme
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Lions victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.18
Playabets 1.16
Sunbet 1.20
Odds comparison on the Benetton handicap :
The complete odds on the Benetton handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.91
Sunbet (+11.5) 1.83
Playabets (+11.5) 1.86
Predictions and Odds in details
The Lions will need their flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse to control the game with his massive boot as he could prove to be the difference in the territory battle. He must be accurate with his out of hand kicking as the Italians are dangerous on counter attack with Ioane the biggest threat. For the Italian side to have a chance at causing an upset they will need to match the Lions pack. There are poor odds on the Lions outright win therefore we suggest the away team on the handicap for better returns. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.91, Sunbet (+11.5) 1.83 and Playabets (+11.5) 1.86
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.
