Cardiff Blues vs Treviso
Competition: Guinness Pro12
Date: 18 February 2017
Kick-off: 15:30 CET
Cardiff would have been left more than a little frustrated by their close loss to the defending, but stuttering, champions Connacht. So, with Treviso on the cards this week, the Welsh side will be looking to take out their latent rage on the poor Italians.
Treviso, as is to be expected in the Pro 12, is simply making up the numbers, and those numbers are somewhere near the bottom of the log as they sit just above compatriots Zebre. Two wins all season have categorized a team that is just not performing; there has not even been exciting or enthralling losses as they have managed just one four-try bonus point and two losing points. Treviso also have the worst points differential of -257 which again speaks of poor attack and worse defence. Up against Cardiff, who are hardly a top level team this season, they will again find things hard especially traveling to Wales.
For Cardiff, this is always a freebie, and a bit of a jackpot, but the pressure only comes in making sure of the bonus point. Cardiff won’t worry about a shock loss here, because Treviso are also missing their best players to the Italian national cause, but they will want to score four trys and get five points which could push them closer to Ulster who currently have a 10 point lead. The issue again is that Cardiff have only scored four tries in one game once this season, so for them not to do it against Treviso will be a really big missed chance.
Cardiff Blues vs Treviso: Head-to-Head Stats
Treviso have at least tasted victory against the Cardiff Blues over their short 13 game history, winning three games but losing nine. They have also pulled off a draw in their time in the Pro12.
Cardiff Blues vs Treviso: Prediction
Treviso and Zebre have had three wins between them all season, and each time those have been big shocks, except when they faced each other, so to bet on a Treviso win would be folly. Cardiff are a good team and will deal well with the Italians, the question will be if they can rally their attack enough to score the four tries and make a real go at chasing down those teams above them.
Cardiff Blues vs Treviso: Tips
Depending on which side of the Welsh border you sit on, you could back the Blues for a try-bonus point, or not, but the feeling is that Treviso will be at their worst thanks to missing stars.
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