Forecasts for European Challenge Cup - Round Two
Get Ready for a South African Derby!
The European Challenge Cup is heating up, and this weekend's showdown in Bloemfontein between the Cheetahs and the Sharks promises to be a knock-out battle! With five thrilling showdowns lined up since Friday night, rugby fans are in for an action-packed weekend.
Let's take a look at some intriguing predictions for the upcoming matches.
Did Black Lion Put up a Fierce Fight Against Scarlets or Not?
Although Black Lion didn't secure the win against Gloucester last weekend, they certainly gave the English visitors a hard-fought match. But the challenge becomes even greater when away from home, so we're predicting a 14-point victory for the Scarlets in this encounter.
Gloucester vs Clermont: The Cherry and Whites to Show Their Strength
Both squads kicked off the season with victories in their respective matches. Gloucester held tight against Black Lion last weekend, while Clermont outscored Edinburgh. But the Cherry and Whites' understrength side against the Georgians should reign supreme in this one, with a predicted two-point win.
Edinburgh vs Castres: Bouncing Back with Five Points
Edinburgh missed out on some chances against Clermont in their last game, but with a French side known for poor traveling, the Scots should bounce back with a five-point victory.
Oyonnax vs Zebre: A Home Advantage advantage for the French Outfit
Oyonnax almost matched the Dragons for 74 minutes last weekend before leaking three tries at the death and losing 24-7. Zebre struggled against the Cheetahs in their last game, and a home-field advantage should give Oyonnax the upper hand, with a predicted seven-point victory.
Benetton vs Perpignan: The Italians to Run Wild
Benetton displayed great determination to come back every time their hosts scored last weekend, only to be undone with a late yellow card. Perpignan faced a toothless offense against the touring Lions, and this match presents an opportunity for Benetton to secure a full house win. Our prediction? A 17-point victory for the Italians.
Lions vs Newcastle Falcons: A Purple Patch Continues
With four wins in their last five games, the Lions are on a roll. Even their second stringers managed to secure a big win last weekend. Facing the Falcons, who lost 24-19 to Montpellier at home, we're confident the Lions will continue their winning streak, with a ten-point victory on the cards.
Pau vs Dragons: Real Pau Rises to the Occasion
After sending a 'B' team to Durban and losing in a drubbing, the real Pau will return to the field on Saturday. The Dragons managed to pull off a win against Oyonnax with a late flurry, but they lack the firepower to get past Pau. Our prediction? A 12-point victory for Pau.
Montpellier vs Ospreys: French Outfit Shows Their Might
Montpellier put on a strong performance last weekend, controlling the game from the start and closing it out against the Falcons. In contrast, the Ospreys had a tight, back-and-forth battle with Benetton. With home-field advantage and some boosts, we're tipping Montpellier for an eight-point win.
Cheetahs vs Sharks: The Battle of the Free State
Both the Cheetahs and Sharks posted convincing wins in their last matches, but something's got to give in this epic South African derby. The Cheetahs favor a structured, set-piece style of play, while the Sharks are looking to unleash an attacking brand of rugby. Ultimately, we think the Sharks' physicality and ability to withstand high balls will give them the edge, with a predicted seven-point win.
Predictions at a Glance
- Scarlets by 14 over Black Lion
- Gloucester by 2 over Clermont
- Edinburgh by 5 over Castres
- Oyonnax by 7 over Zebre
- Benetton by 17 over Perpignan
- Lions by 10 over Newcastle Falcons
- Pau by 12 over Dragons
- Montpellier by 8 over Ospreys
- Sharks by 7 over Cheetahs
Tune in to witness these exciting matchups and let the rugby action unfold!
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a seasoned rugby journalist and a former Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. With over 15 years of experience in the field, he provides expert insights into the European Challenge Cup. Catch more of his work on sports news websites and platforms.
- Rouen Rugby and Bayonne are predicted to have a close game in the French Rugby Pro D2, with Rouen taking a narrow 3-point victory.
- In the premier league, Manchester United is foreseen to secure a 9-point win over Aston Villa in a football match this weekend.
- Leicester City, currently leading in the European football leagues, is expected to maintain their position with a 5-point victory over Everton.
- Despite a tough fight by the Edinburgh-based team, Sale Sharks is predicted to win by 10 points in the European Challenge Cup event.
- In the football realm, Liverpool is expected to dominate Arsenal in the Premier League, with a 6-point win on the horizon.
