Newcastle Falcons v Saracens | Sunday 6 December | Kingston Park | 17:00
The Aviva Premiership’s last placed side, the Newcastle Falcons, face the unenviable task of taking on the all-conquering Saracens this Sunday. While this game is likely to be a bit of a one-sided affair, there is still plenty of money to be made.
To Win Match
Newcastle
Draw
Saracens
Handicaps
Newcastle
Saracens
*Odds to be added upon release
Newcastle
This is definitely not the game Newcastle needed at this stage of their season. While they have been improving weekly – which was evident in their draw with Sale last weekend – this fixture could leave the Falcons emotionally and physically scarred.
As I alluded to earlier, Newcastle looked much improved last weekend. The Falcons managed to get the only two tries of the game through hooker, Rob Vickers and prop Jon Welsh, but a sub-par kicking display from flyhalf Mike Delaney meant they had to settle for a share of the spoils. The result saw the Falcons register their first log points of the season, but there’s still a mountain for them to climb if they are to avoid relegation.
So how do Newcastle approach this weekend’s game? I would say keep it tight – as they have a solid pack – but the Saracens forwards have been just as dominant as their backs this season.
Maybe try and give the ball some width? If I’m being brutally honest, the Falcons don’t have enough quality in their backline to even cause the Southern Kings backs trouble, let alone a structured unit like Saracens. I think their only option is to hope and pray that their opponents contract the “Suzie Bug” – the virus, that the 1995 All Black World Cup squad apparently picked up two days before the World Cup Final – and spend the majority of the week in their beds.
Saracens
I said last week that I’d be more than happy to lay a stake on Saracens retaining their Aviva Premiership crown. After their display last weekend, I’ve decided to put a handsome sum on them doing just that.
Despite their matchday squad containing a number of second-stringers, Saracens still managed to hammer Worster at the weekend. That victory was Saracens’ seventh of the season and saw them maintain their unbeaten run in all competitions. The thirty-point victory resulted in Saries moving three points clear of the second-placed Exter Chiefs on the log. They are likely to have extended that lead come the conclusion of this weekend’s fixtures as Exeter are taking on a talented Wasps side away from home.
If I was part of the Newcastle management team I’d be extremely worried about my players’ mental and physical health this weekend. While Saries have been brilliant on attack, an area of their game that hasn’t received the same amount of attention, and really should, is their defense. Every single player in this Saracens set up seems to relish the contact situation. From their front three to their back three, the men in black and red are all hard hitters.
To make matters worse for the men from Newcastle, the human wrecking ball, Billy Vunipoala, was given the weekend off last week. Whilst all sportsmen hate missing a game, Vunipoala was probably angrier than a bear with a sore head at not being selected. The big man’s likely to come back into the side this week and if I were a Newcastle player, I’d try my utmost to stay well clear of any channel he’s running at. Another man who will probably return to the run-on side is Owen Farrell. The England ten was given the final 20 minutes off the bench last week, so he’s likely to come into this one with a bit of pep in his step.
Verdict: Saracens (-)This verdict really didn’t require that much thought. Back the undefeated Wolf Pack to clear any margin that’s thrown at them.
Bet on this match now at Hollywoodbets.net! Haven’t got an account? Open one here now
