Round 17 of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership will get underway on Friday the 22nd of March.
With the 2019 Six Nations now a thing of the past, its time to return our attention back to Europe’s domestic leagues. While both the Top 14 and PRO14 have been rather competitive this year, the Gallagher Premiership has been the real stand out league with both the relegation and semi-final battles still waging on.
Leicester v Northampton
Friday 22 March
Welford Road
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Leicester
Draw
Northampton
Friday’s solitary game will see the seventh-placed Northampton play host to the 10-placed Leicester. Both teams are enduring underwhelming seasons and desperately need a win here.
The Six Nations period was harsh Leicester with Friday night’s visitors losing three of their four games since the tournament kicked off in February. The Saints have been in slightly better touch winning two of their last four.
In terms of last weekend’s results, Northampton went down 24-26 to Bristol while Leicester went down 32-5 to Sale.
Verdict: Leicester
The Tigers will welcome back some big name English internationals this weekend and I can see that spurring them on to a win.
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Saracens v Harlequins
Saturday 23 March
Allianz Park
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Saracens
Draw
Harlequins
Saturday’s action kicks off with a rather fascinating tie between second-placed Saracens and third-placed Harlequins.
As expected, Saracens struggled for results during the Six Nations period with the men from North London only registering two of their last four games. Their most recent defeat saw them go down 18-9 to Bath at the ‘Rec’.
Harlequins have fared much better than their foes over the Six Nations period with the visitors winning three of their last four games. They have also racked up quite a few bonus point wins during this period, but do head into Saturday’s encounter off the back of a 17-13 defeat to Worcester.
Verdict: Saracens
I expect a big showing from this Saracens side who will welcome back a number of their big guns from international duty. My money is on them winning this one by nine points or more.
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Gloucester v Wasps
Saturday 23 March
Kingsholm Stadium
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Gloucester
Draw
Wasps
Saturday’s next instalment should be a cracker with both Gloucester and Wasps playing exciting brands of rugby. The hosts are enjoying a far more positive campaign than their opponents and currently occupy fourth place on the log while Wasps are way down in eighth.
Gloucester will head into this one full of confidence having bounced back from their Round 15 defeat to the Bristol Bears by beating Harlequins 7-29. Wasps haven’t been in as solid touch and head into this one off the back of three straight defeats, with their most recent loss being a 19-20 home defeat to cellar-dwellers Newcastle.
Verdict: Gloucester
Wasps really are struggling at the minute and I cannot see them arresting their losing streak against a talented and determined Gloucester outfit. My money is on the hosts taking it by 10 or more.
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Bristol v Worcester
Saturday 23 March
Ashton Gate
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Bristol
Draw
Worcester
We go from a mid-table clash to the battle to avoid the drop with ninth-placed Bristol taking on 11th-placed Worcester. Both teams have been in decent touch in recent weeks with Bristol beating Gloucester 28-24 and Northampton 24-26, while Worcester claimed a losing bonus point from their 30-33 defeat to log-leaders Exeter.
Verdict: Bristol
The Bears are on a solid run of form at the minute and I can see them extending their winning streak to three games by getting one over Worcester at Ashton Gate.
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Newcastle v Sale
Saturday 23 March
St James’ Park
19:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Newcastle
Draw
Sale
Saturday’s fixture list will come to a close with a Northern Derby between the last-placed Newcastle Falcons and the fifth-placed Sale Sharks. The visitors have been in all-conquering form since the turn of the year and have won five of their last seven fixtures.
Newcastle have seen an upswing in their fortunes over the past two rounds with the Falcons beating Worcester 17-6 in Round 15 and followed that up with a 19-20 victory over Wasps in Round 16.
Verdict: Sale
These derby games are always hard to predict, and this one is even tougher with both teams playing some solid rugby. As such, I won’t be having a punt on this game. If you must strike a bet, I recommend backing the visitors for a minimal stake.
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Exeter v Bath
Sunday 24 March
Sandy Park
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Exeter
Draw
Bath
We close out Round 17 with a clash between the log-leading Exeter Chiefs and sixth-placed Bath. The hosts currently sit eight points clear of Saracens on the standings and will be keen to keep this cushy bumper headed into the final four games of the season. Bath will also be desperate to claim the points here as they are seven points off the final semi-final berth.
The Chiefs have been in exceptional form and have won their last three fixtures with their most recent victory being last weekend’s 30-33 win over Worcester. Bath have also been enjoying a good run and head into this one off the back of an impressive 18-9 victory over Saracens.
Verdict: Exeter
While Bath do come into this one off the back of a spectacular home result, I cannot see them repeating the dose at Sandy Park. My money is on the Chiefs taking this one by 12 or more.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.
