Zebre vs Cheetahs Prediction & Betting Tips - Challenge Cup

Prediction published on 07/12/2023, 12:45  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 09/12/2023 at 00:00 in Challenge Cup Prediction

The 2023-24 EPCR Challenge Cup gets underway this week, and on Saturday afternoon, Zebre will play host to the Free State Cheetahs. Last season, Zebre suffered defeats in all four pool matches, managing to secure only one bonus point and falling short of advancing to the knockout rounds. This term, they will face Oyonnax away, then return home for a clash against the Dragons before ending with a trip to Section Paloise. The hosts are certainly no strangers to South African opposition. They just got back from their United Rugby Championship tour in South Africa, where they were beaten 61-19 by the Lions and, more recently, suffered a 31-7 loss to the Stormers. In previous URC encounters this season, Zebre faced another big defeat at home against the Bulls (54-29). However, they managed to secure a narrow victory against the Sharks with a 12-10 scoreline in another home game. Zebre won the last encounter against this opponent back in 2020, bringing an end to a four-match losing streak dating back to 2017. 

Meanwhile, Cheetahs advanced to the Round of 16 in the previous season of this competition and delivered a commendable performance despite a 36-21 loss to Toulon, the eventual champions. Following this match, the Cheetahs will host a derby against the Sharks in Bloemfontein. Thereafter, they are set to host Section Paloise before concluding their pool matches with an away fixture against Oyonnax. The Free Staters will likely look to leverage their expansive attack against the Italians. However, they must start strong, considering Zebre’s commendable performances at home of late against Cardiff and the Sharks. This will be the visitors' first official top-class match of the new season. They last played back in June in the Currie Cup, which they won after a four-year wait.