Darry Worthington takes a look at the six Round 1 Gallagher Premiership fixtures which get underway on Friday the 18th of October.
The focus in England may be on their national side’s World Cup clash with Australia but there’s plenty of domestic action for fans to sink their teeth into as well as the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off this Friday.
Photo Copyright Steve Haag Sport – Hollywoodbets
Bristol v Bath
Friday 18 October
Ashton Gate
20:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Bristol 9/20
Draw 20/1
Bath 19/10
The Bears, who had a great record at home last season, will be looking to treat the Ashton Gate faithful to an opening day win when they take on Bath in Friday’s solitary fixture.
The Bears enjoyed a slid return to the English flight registering nine wins and a draw from their 22 games which saw them finish the campaign in ninth place – a respectable return for a side that just moved into the English top tier.
Bath had a slightly better season, winning ten of their 22 games while drawing two others. They missed out on a semi-final berth due to an inferior points total to Northampton.
Verdict: Bristol 9/20
I’m backing the Bears to come out on top in the season opener.
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Saracens v Northampton
Saturday 19 October
Allianz Park
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Saracens 1/6
Draw 25/1
Northampton 17/4
Reigning champions Saracens will be looking to kick off their title defence with a win over the Northampton Saints when the two sides lock horns in Saturday’s opener.
The hosts are without a number of stars for this one with Owen Farell, Liam Williams, George Kruis, Mario Itoje and the Vunipola brothers all on World Cup duty. They will be heavily reliant on their veterans and their youth players for this one.
Northampton have also lost some big guns with Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlum and Piers Francais all with the English national side.
Verdict: Saracens 1/6
I know the hosts are very short but I can’t see them having too many problems getting one over Northampton.
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Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins
Saturday 19 October
Sandy Park
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Exeter 1/6
Draw 25/1
Harlequins 17/4
Last season’s runners up, the Exeter Chiefs, take on a Harlequins side that managed a fifth-place finish in the 2019/20 season.
The Chiefs have been a magnificently consistent side over the past three years. And while they will be without winger Jack Nowell and new signing Stuart Hogg, the Chiefs will still be an extremely tough nut to crack on home soil.
Harlequins are also without a few of their big guns with pros Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler on England durty.
Verdict: Exeter 1/6
The Chiefs should have no troubles getting the win under their belt at Sandy Park.
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Worcester Warriors v Leicester
Saturday 19 October
Sixways Stadium
15:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Worcester 5/10
Draw 18/1
Leicester 17/10
Worcester will be looking to mark their return to get their campaign off to a winning start when they take on Leicester.
The hosts enjoyed an okay campaign last term avoiding relegation and finishing in 10th. The Leicester Tigers had a poor time of it last season and finished second-to-last with only seven wins from their 22 matches.
Verdict: Worcester 5/10
This should be an absolute scrap. I’m expecting the hosts to come out on top by a very narrow margin.______________________________________________________________Sale Sharks v Gloucester
Saturday 19 October
AJ Bell Stadium
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Sale 4/10
Draw 20/1
Gloucester 2/1
A Gloucester side that has had a poor preseason will be looking for a solid start when they travel to Manchester to take on the Sale Sharks.
Gloucester enjoyed a great season last year finishing as losing semi-finalist after claiming third-place during the regular season. Sale had a decent time of it last year finishing the regular season in seventh place.
Verdict: Gloucester 2/1
I rather fancy the visitors. They have a solid side and Sale are missing a couple of heavyweights.
______________________________________________________________Wasps v London Irish
Sunday 20 October
Ricoh Arena
16:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Wasps 1/6
Draw 25/1
London Irish 17/4
Wasps will be looking for a fast start after a dire 2018/19 campaign when they take on newly-promoted London Irish in Sunday’s solitary fixture.
The hosts only managed ten wins and finished the season way off the European Champions Cup places in eighth place.
London Irish enjoyed a great campaign in the Championship finishing the season at the top of the standings and securing a place back in the Premiership.
Verdict: Wasps 1/6
This should be a good game with neither side scared of throwing the ball around. My money is on the hosts winning a high scorer.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
