Ulster vs Zebre: 2023 URC Round 1 Predictions, Odds, Picks and Betting Preview

• Ulster finished second last season but lost to Connacht in the quarters
• Zebre languished at the bottom of the standings in the 2022-23 season
• Ulster are favourites to record the win over Zebre in their league opener

The long wait is finally over.

The United Rugby Championship returns this coming Saturday, with Ulster taking on Zebre in the opening fixture.

Read on as Sports Brief brings you a preview of this Round 1 matchup.

Zebre vs. Ulster Betting Preview

Where: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Italy

When: Saturday, October 21 - 2:00 pm local time

Odds: Zebre (+13.5) vs. Ulster (-13.5) - view all lines

Betting on Zebre (+13.5)

Zebre Parma had a campaign to forget last season. They finished the 2022-23 season without a single point, losing each of their 18 matches in the United Rugby Championship.

The Italian club deemed it necessary to have a fresh start this year and changed their logo for the 2023-24 season, with artist, Francesco Poroli and the team drawing inspiration from logos of American sports teams.

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What needs to change this season for Zebre, though, is their performance. They will look to end their long losing streak when they face powerhouse, Ulster.

Zebre had five representatives in Italy's Rugby World Cup squad, with Danilo Fischetti, Alessandro Fusco, David Sisi, Lorenzo Pani, and Pierre Bruno making the Azzurri lineup in France.

It is not clear, however, if any of those five players will be available for Zebre in Saturday's game against Ulster.

Betting on Ulster (-13.5)

Ulster have been installed as 13.5-point favourites over Zebre but a huge win in their opening match isn't guaranteed.

They will be missing several key players due to injury and Rugby World Cup participation.

Ireland squad members Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, and Rob Herring are unavailable for the match against Zebre.

South Africa's Steven Kitshoff is still competing in France with the Springboks reaching the semis.

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Ulster's lineup is further depleted by injuries to senior players Alan O'Connor (ankle), Luke Marshall (concussion), and John Cooney (calf), per Yahoo Sports.

Sean Reffell (ankle), Greg Jones (shoulder), and Eric O'Sullivan (shoulder) are also among the injured players for the Irish club.

Marty Moore remains unavailable for the match against Zebre as he continues his rehabilitation from the knee injury he suffered against Munster on New Year's Day. James McCormick is also sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

Ulster finished their preparations during the pre-season with a 19-14 victory over the Glasgow Warriors. They will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing quarter-final exit in the URC playoffs last season.

Writer's Prediction

Ulster (-13.5) win and cover the spread against Zebre (all odds courtesy of 1XBet).

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2023/24 URC Betting Preview

Sports Brief also previewed the United Rugby Championship tournament.

Leinster have been installed as favourites to win the Grand Final next year.

They topped the table last season but lost to Munster in the semi-finals.

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