Perpignan vs Lions Live stream, Prediction & Betting Tips. The European Challenge Cup gets underway this weekend and one of the most intriguing fixtures sees struggling Top 14 side USA Perpignan take on the in-form Lions from the United Rugby Championship. Both teams will be vying for a strong start to their Challenge Cup campaigns but for very different reasons. Perpignan will be desperate to find some form and confidence, while the Lions will be aiming to build on their recent success and carry their momentum into Europe.
USA Perpignan Form & Team News
USA Perpignan have endured a torrid start to the Top 14 season. They are currently second from bottom with just two wins from their nine games, and their points conceded tally of 327 is the highest in the competition. Their defensive woes have been a major concern, and they will need to address this issue if they are to have any chance of success in the Challenge Cup.
- Competition: European Challenge Cup
- Date: December 10, 2023
- Time: 14:00 CET (UTC+1)
- Venue: Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan, France
There is some positive news on the injury front however, with key players such as Mathieu Acebes and Melvyn Jaminet expected to return to the fold. Perpignan will also be boosted by the return of former All Blacks scrum-half Augustine Pulu, who has joined the club on a short-term deal.
Lions Form & Team News
The Lions, on the other hand, come into this match in fine form. They are currently sitting in fourth place in the URC table, having won four of their last five games. Their recent victories over the Dragons (49-24) and Zebre (61-19) have been particularly impressive, and they will be full of confidence heading to Perpignan.
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a strong squad for this clash, with the likes of Scarlets loanee Johnny McNicholl and South African international Wandisile Simelane included in the starting lineup.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first time that USA Perpignan and the Lions have met in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
This is a tough game to call. On paper, the Lions are the clear favorites, but Perpignan will be desperate to turn their season around and will be buoyed by the return of some key players. Ultimately, we think the Lions’ superior firepower will be too much for Perpignan, and we predict a comfortable away win for the South Africans.
Betting Tips
Lions to win @ 1.19 (Oddschecker)
Lions to win by 11-20 points @ 2.25 (Oddschecker)
Johnny McNicholl to score a try @ 2.40 (Oddschecker)
Additional Tips
Perpignan are likely to start slowly and may struggle to match the Lions’ intensity early on.
The Lions have a strong set-piece and will look to dominate in this area.
Perpignan’s defensive frailties could be exploited by the Lions’ attack.
The Lions are likely to rotate their squad throughout the tournament, so keep an eye on the team news before placing any bets.
Disclaimer
The above prediction and betting tips are for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Be sure to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.
