Round 13 of the Gallagher Premiership will throw up some fascinating contests. Bristol will look to extend their lead atop the standings when they host Wasps on Friday before third plays second on Saturday as Harlequins travel to Exeter.
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Friday 12 March
Bristol Bears v Wasps
21h45
Ashton Gate
To Win MatchBristol 21/100
Draw 25/1
Wasps 36/10
Bristol will look to take advantage of Wasps’ rotten recent run at Ashton Gate on Friday.
Lee Blackett’s men have lost three on the bounce and five of their last six. They’re now ninth after last week’s disappointing home loss to then-bottom Gloucester and are in danger of dropping further down the ladder here.
Bristol are first and have won their last four on the spin. They’ll be too good for their opponents on the day and should continue to set the tone at the summit.
Verdict: Bristol 21/100
Back the Bears to pile the pressure on Exeter who have a tough assignment against Harlequins on Saturday.
Saturday 13 March
Newcastle v Bath
14h30
Kingston Park
To Win Match
Newcastle 87/100
Draw 20/1
Bath 1/1
Newcastle will want to put some consistency into their performance when they host Bath at Kingston Park on Saturday.
The Falcons’ last six results read: LWLLWL. While the uber-competitiveness of the Premiership is obviously partly to blame, there remains plenty for Dean Richards’ side to work on. They could struggle here though.
Bath were soundly beaten 16-38 by Exeter at the Rec last week and currently sit in 10th. Back them to win away this weekend though.
Verdict: Bath 1/1
I reckon bath will be too strong here for their opponents and offer excellent value at even money.
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins
14h30
Sandy Park
To Win Match
Exeter 34/100
Draw 20/1
Harlequins 49/20
Harlequins will leapfrog the Chiefs into second if they can manage a win at Sandy Park on Saturday
Quins are third and trail the defending champions by just two points on the standings. This will present the Stephan Lewies-led side with a massive opportunity. They’ll push the hosts close.
Exeter, though, will remain confident despite their rather peculiar season so far. They followed up two consecutive defeats to Saints and Sale with a big win over Bath last week and are unlikely to let their standards slip here.
Verdict: Exeter 34/100
Expect the reigning champions’ quality to shine through here.
Northampton v Sale
16h45
Franklin’s Gardens
To Win Match
Northampton 29/20
Draw 20/1
Sale 6/10
Northampton host Sale with a chance at potentially going level on points with them at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday.
Saints are fifth and trail fourth-placed Sale by five-points. A bonus-point win here would give them a big boost and continue to apply pressure to the front-runners.
The Sharks, though, were excellent in their recent wins over Exeter and Newcastle and will ride a wave of momentum into this one which could see them to another victory.
Verdict: Sale 6/10
Sale are tipped to continue their fine run of form with victory here.
Gloucester v Leicester
17h00
Kingsholm
To Win Match
Gloucester 39/100
Draw 20/1
Leicester 22/10
Gloucester will be looking to put more space between themselves and last-placed Worcester when they host Leicester on Saturday.
The Cherry and Whites picked up just their third win of the entire campaign in last week’s 20-19 defeat of Wasps at the Ricoh. Another one would do their confidence wonders as they continue to avoid a relegation battle.
The Tigers pipped London Irish 33-32 at Welford Road last week to keep pace with the other midtable sides. They could trip up at the Kingsholm here though as Gloucester look to maintain their upward trajectory.
Verdict: Gloucester 39/100
Get on Gloucester to put more daylight between themselves and last-placed Worcester here.
Sunday 14 March
London Irish v Worcester
15h00
Brentford Stadium
To Win Match
London Irish 26/100
Draw 22/1
Worcester 3/1
London Irish can inflict more misery onto Worcester with a win at Brentford Stadium on Sunday.
Irish were outdone by a single point last week against Leicester but remain in a midtable fight, sitting sixth. They can deal Worcester another big blow with a win here.
Despite their narrow loss to table-toppers the Bears last week, the Warriors are now last with just three wins to their name. Another defeat this weekend would plunge them into even deeper trouble.
Verdict: Irish 26/100
London Irish all day here. Worcester are in dire straits and are facing the very real prospect of their first relegations since 2013/14.
Written by Shaun Goosen.
