Leaders Northampton Saints travel to Sandy Park to tackle second-placed Exeter Chiefs, while Leicester Tigers welcome Saracens to Welford Road in the 11th round of Gallagher Premiership action.
Friday 5 January
Newcastle 23/10 | Draw 22/1 | Harlequins 37/100 (21:45)
Handicap
Newcastle (+6.5) 17/20 | Quins (-6.5) 17/20
Falcons remain rooted to the bottom of the standings, winless and 12 points off ninth-placed Gloucester. It’s difficult to see where the embattled club could pick up that elusive first victory this season given the state of things at Kingston Park.
Harlequins’ 32-26 win over the Cherry and Whites at Twickenham last week means they sit just one point and two places (sixth) off the top four ahead of this one. They should have no problem keeping pace with the trendsetters by picking up a seventh win here.
Verdict: Harlequins (-6.5) 17/20
Harlequins should have little trouble clearing a modest handicap to win comfortably.
Sale 1/4 | Draw 20/1 | Bristol 32/10 (21:45)
Handicap
Sale (-9.5) 17/20 | Bears (+9.5) 17/20
Sale are now third after being usurped by current leaders Northampton, against whom they lost at Franklin’s Gardens a week ago. Still just two points off Saints though, a bonus point win over inconsistent Bristol here will ensure they remain in contention for first.
Eighth-placed Bears weren’t good enough to beat Exeter at Ashton Gate last week, falling to a 10-point defeat. It’s unlikely they’ll have what it takes to win in Manchester.
Verdict: Sale (-9.5) 17/20
Back the Sale Sharks to clear the handicap at the AJ Bell.
Saturday 6 January
Exeter 7/20 | Draw 20/1 | Northampton 24/10 (17:00)
Handicap
Chiefs (-6.5) 17/20 | Saints (+6.5) 17/20
In the clash of the weekend, second-placed Exeter can head into the European break at the summit by seeing off Northampton. Chiefs’ points difference of +103 is a staggering 47 better off next-best Saracens, something that will work in their favour given the congested nature of the Premiership standings. With the Sandy Park faithful behind them, they should grind out a win on Saturday.
First-placed Northampton are producing some big performances this season, with their recent defeat of Sale marking their sixth win in succession. They’ll give Exeter a proper run here but should ultimately miss out.
Verdict: Northampton (+6.5) 17/20
Saints are a quality outfit and have their tails up at the the minute. Back them to remain within a relatively modest handicap.
Leicester 97/100 | Draw 18/1 | Saracens 92/100 (17:05)
Leicester welcome Saracens to Welford Road in a game almost too close to call. Despite occupying seventh and currently seven points adrift of the top four, Tigers may yet come good this season. Four wins from their last five in the Premiership points to a team on the up and another over fifth-placed Sarries here would surely throw the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.
It’s been far from a vintage season from Saracens so far, whose ageing squad are closer to the end than the beginning. Regardless, they will still have a massive say in the race for the playoffs but could find themselves on the receiving end this weekend.
I’ll be on the Leicester Tigers to sneak past the North Londoners at Welford Road.
Sunday 7 January
Bath 2/9 | Draw 22/1 | Gloucester 7/2 (17:00)
Handicap
Bath (-9.5) 17/20 | Gloucester (+9.5) 17/20
Fourth-placed Bath won’t have a problem seeing off Gloucester at The Rec given the visitors’ poor form on the road. Recent loss at Tigers aside, the hosts are playing some sparkling footy and have the potential to rack up a big score against George Skivington’s men here.
Verdict: Bath (-9.5) 17/20
Bath should win this at a canter.
