We head into round 9 of the Gallagher Premiership off the back of a fortnight which has seen Saracens’ relegation to the championship cemented. The outgoing champions will face off against Harlequins on Saturday at the Stoop. Elsewhere, Northampton face London Irish while Exeter are at home against Sale.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
Friday 24 January
Northampton v London Irish
21h45
Franklin’s Gardens
To Win Match
Northampton 1/8
Draw 25/1
London Irish 5/1
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Northampton will look to claim a seventh win this season when they host London Irish at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday.
The Saints are second with just two losses from eight matches and sit behind their incoming Champions Cup quarterfinal opponents, Exeter, on the Premiership standings.
Irish now find themselves in 10th after their bright return to the top-flight but will be bolder from here on in the knowledge that relegation is no longer a possibility.
Verdict: Northampton by 10
Expect Northampton to take this one though to extend their four-game winning run.
Saturday 25 January
Bristol v Gloucester
17h00
Ashton Gate
To Win Match
Bristol 6/10
Draw 18/1
Gloucester 14/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Bristol can go level on points with Gloucester should they pick up a bonus-point win at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
The fifth-placed Bears are three from eight but can potentially finish the Round in the playoff spots with a big victory at home.
Gloucester, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their Champions Cup disappointment by getting back to winning ways this weekend.
Verdict: Bristol by three
It’s set to be another tightly contested Premiership encounter, but the hosts may nab it by the slenderest of margins.
Worcester v Wasps
17h00
Sixways Stadium
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
To Win Match
Worcester 11/20
Draw 18/1
Wasps 16/10
Both Worcester and Wasps will look to continue their efforts at avoiding a midtable finish when they clash at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.
The Warriors have won half of their matches thus far and have again seemed decidedly average this season. Alan Solomons’ men don’t seem capable of competing against the bigger clubs in England with Round Eight’s 62-5 loss at Allianz Park proof of the fact.
Wasps have continued their slip down the table and now occupy ninth after picking up just two wins.
Verdict: Worcester by eight
At home, you’d expect Worcester to take it.
Exeter v Sale
17h00
Sandy Park
To Win Match
Exeter 1/4
Draw 25/1
Sale 28/10
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| Image Copyright – FotoSport/David Gibson |
Exeter can maintain their slim lead at the top of the Premiership standings with a win over Sale at Sandy Park on Saturday.
The Chiefs remain on course for an historic double following their qualification for the Champions Cup last eight. You’d back them to see off Northampton in April to claim a place in the semi-finals, but their main focus over the next few months will be on the domestic front.
Sale may have flopped in Europe but are still in with a shot at claiming a Premiership playoff spot, with the Manchester-based outfit currently in fourth. A win this weekend would do wonders for their season; especially with Lood de Jager set to appear sooner rather than later.
Verdict: Exeter by eight
The Chiefs are always a different beast at home and should claim a win here.
Bath v Leicester
17h00
The Rec
To Win Match
Bath 4/10
Draw 20/1
Leicester 2/1
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Bath can continue their quest for a playoff berth when they host Leicester at The Rec on Saturday.
Such is the competitiveness in the midtable of the Premiership at present, Stuart Hooper’s men are one of nine other teams to have won four or less of the matches played this campaign.
A win at home will keep them in the hunt for the semi-finals.
Now that the fear of relegation has been dispelled, we may see a mini-revival from the Tigers this season. While it would admittedly be pretty drastic to see a total shift in fortunes from here on out, they may now be capable of picking up an upset win or two; starting this weekend, perhaps.
Verdict: Leicester by five
Some good value on Leicester here at 2/1. Maybe one to fatten up the weekend multiples.
Sunday 26 January
Harlequins v Saracens
17h00
Twickenham Stoop
To Win Match
Harlequins 19/20
Draw 18/1
Saracens 19/20
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
Saracens are likely to let loose their considerable frustration on Harlequins at The Stoop on Sunday.
With relegation now a certainty, you wouldn’t bet against Mark McCall’s men delivering some resounding performances for the rest of the season.
The coming months marks the end of an era for the club, with extensive departures expected, and the likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and co. will want to go out with a bang.
Verdict: Saracens by 14 points
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.
