The final round-robin set of Gallagher Premiership will take place this coming weekend. Darry Worthington runs the rule over the fixtures below.
While three of the semi-final spots are secured there’s an almighty battle for the final place with Wasps, Sale, Harlequins and Northampton all in with a chance of claiming the final berth.
Bristol v Sale Sharks
Friday 3 May
Ashton Gate
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Bristol 6/10
Draw 18/1
Sale 14/10
Handicap
Bristol (-3.5) 17/20
Sale (-4.5) 17/20
Bristol will be looking to claim a European berth when they take on a Sale side who are looking to claim a semi-final berth.
The hosts currently lie ninth on the table and a bonus point victory could well see them move into the ‘Top 6″. That’s not too shabby for a side who only gained promotion last season. They’ll also head into this one full of confidence having beaten the Leicester Tigers 20-23 last weekend.
Sale are just three points off fourth-placed Northampton and a win here would pile the pressure on their fellow top-four rivals who all play later in the weekend. They have struggled away from home in recent weeks, however, losing their last two away fixtures.
Verdict: Bristol 6/10
This should be a thrill a minute with both teams unlikely to hold back. My money is on the hosts winning a rather high-scoring affair this weekend.
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Harlequins v Leicester
Friday 3 May
Twickenham Stoop
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Harlequins 1/5
Draw 20/1
Leicester 36/10
Handicap
Harlequins (-9.5) 17/20
Leicester (+9.5) 17/20
‘Quins and the Tigers will square off in Friday’s second fixture. The hosts will be looking to claim the full five-point haul so as to give themselves the best shot at a semi-final berth – they are currently level on points with fourth-placed Northampton. Leicester, on the other hand, will be looking for a positive finish to a stinker of a season which has seen them narrowly avoid relegation.
The visitors head into this one with just one win in their last five fixtures with their most recent result being a 20-23 home loss to Bristol. ‘Quins have also been struggling for form of late and head into this one off the back of five consecutive losses with their most recent failing being last weekend’s 17-15 loss to the Exeter Chiefs.
Verdict: Harlequins (-9.5) 9/10
Harlequins actually gave a decent account of themselves during the second half of last week’s encounter with Exeter. I can see them notching up a big win here that may just see them sneak the final semi-final berth.
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Saracens v Exeter Chiefs
Saturday 4 May
Allianz Park
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Saracens 7/10
Draw 18/1
Exeter 5/4
We could well be in for a precursor to the Grand Final this Saturday with second-placed Saracens taking on the first-placed Exeter Chiefs. Both teams are likely to rest a plethora of their players so this one is likely to see a B-list cast take to the Allianz.
Both teams head into this one off the back of victories with Exeter edging Harlequins 17-15 at Sandy Park last week and Saracens beating Wasps 14-31 away from home.
Verdict: Exeter 5/4
I’m going out on a limb here and backing the away team to take the spoils. ‘Sarries have a Champions Cup Final on the horizon and I think they may even rest a few of the reserves for this one.
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Northampton v Worcester Warriors
Saturday 4 May
Franklin’s Gardens
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Northampton 1/11
Draw 30/1
Worcester 6/1Northampton will be looking to claim the last semi-final berth when they take on a Worcester side who have already secured their safety and have nothing but pride to play for. The Saints will be eyeing up a bonus point win here as it would all but assure them fourth place with their closest rivals Harlequins having a far less impressive points differential.
Both teams enjoyed a decent Round 20 with Northampton beating Newcastle 17-31 and Worcester beating high-flying Gloucester 27-20.
Verdict: Northampton 1/11
The Saints know a bonus point victory will see them across the line here. I can see them doing this against a Worcester side that will be eager to see the back of the season. My money is on the hosts taking it by between 15 and 20 points.
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Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons
Saturday 4 May
Kingsholm Stadium
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Gloucester 2/11
Draw 20/1
Newcastle 39/10
An under strength Gloucester side will be looking to close out their regular season in style when they take on a Newcastle outfit who will be playing in the second tier of English rugby next term. Both teams have absolutely nothing to play for here and we could well see a number of academy products take to the Kingsholm.
The visitors are currently on a three-match losing streak while Gloucester head into this one having won for of their last five. The hosts did go down by seven points to Worcester last weekend, however.
Verdict: Gloucester 2/11
Even a much-weakened Gloucester side should be able to get the job done against Newcastle.
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Bath v Wasps
Sunday 5 May
The Recreation Stadium
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Bath 5/10
Draw 18/1
Wasps 33/20
Both Bath and Wasps will be looking to keep their slim hopes of semi-final qualification alive when they square off at the ‘Rec in the weekend’s final fixture. The visitors have a far better chance of making it to the final four as they sit four points off current fourth place occupants Northampton. Bath, however, would need a minor miracle to advance as they are five points off the last remaining semi-final berth.
Both sides head into this one off the back of defeats with Wasps going down by 17 points to Saracens in Round 20 and Bath losing 6-3 to Sale in one of the most boring games of rugby played this year.
Verdict: Wasps 33/20
By the time this game rolls around both teams could be out the hunt for the semi-finals. This could turn into something of a high-scoring exhibition match which would suit the away side better.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.
