Currently sitting in fifth place in the RaboDirect PRO12 standings, Steve Tandy's men could move into the top four with victory over Roberto Manghi's visitors.
After securing back to back wins over fellow Welsh sides Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons during the festive period, last year's champions will be hoping to continue their momentum.
And Rees believes the Welsh region can make it four RaboDirect PRO12 wins on the bounce - provided they don't underestimate the Italian side.
"We were pleased with how the two Christmas derbies went - we have some momentum after those back to back wins," said Rees.
"A Scarlets game always gets us geed up, we responded to that. Probably even more pleasing was going away from home and picking up valuable points which we needed to do.
"We haven't been brilliant away from home this year so it was important we picked those points up, and also take something into this Friday's game which is huge for us.
"Zebre are a challenge we certainly can't underestimate - they should have beaten Glasgow away from home which is no mean feat, and also should have taken some points from Scarlets.
"They have some individual players with lots of ability behind the scrum as well as the power base they have in the pack.
"They are changing the mould there a little bit, and although their win loss record doesn't reflect the improvements they are making, they are a definite threat."
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