PREVIEW: 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership – Round 15

Saturday 20 April

Saracens 1/50 | Draw 33/1 | Gloucester 13/1 (16:00)

Handicap
Saracens (-18.5) 17/20 | Gloucester (+18.5) 17/20

Saracens’ 12-45 Champions Cup round of 16 pasting at Bordeaux could be the catalyst they need to go on and defend their Premiership crown this season. Mark McCall’s men are one of the most competitive outfits in all of Europe and it’s difficult seeing the Cherry and Whites getting near them on Saturday given the motivation likely felt in the hosts’ dressing room at present.

Having made it through to the last four of the Challenge Cup thanks to consecutive home knockout wins over Castres and Ospreys, ninth-placed Gloucester will be as confident as they could be ahead of their visit to the StoneX. Unfortunately for them, they may fall foul of a hurting Sarris outfit here.

Verdict: Saracens (-18.5) 17/20

Saracens will have a point to prove against the second-worst team in the Premiership this season. 

Northampton 38/100 | Draw 21/1 | Leicester 9/4 (16:05)

Handicap
Northampton (-6.5) 17/20 | Leicester (+6.5) 17/20

Saints are enjoying one hell of a season, leading the way on the Premiership standings and earning safe passage to the Champions Cup semi-finals. While a showdown with Leinster in Dublin seems a bit of a stretch for Phil Dowson’s squad, domestic English honours are well within reach and victory over Leicester on Saturday could see them extend their five-point advantage atop the log.

Tigers’ inconsistency has been the bane of their campaign, occupying seventh in the Prem, albeit just three points off the semi-final places, and out of Europe courtesy of a defeat at Leinster. It’s difficult to know what to expect from them this weekend but Saints’ momentum will be tough to abate.

Verdict: Leicester (+6.5) 17/20

The Tigers certainly have the firepower required to turn Saints over. I’m going to have a small play on the plus here. 

Exeter Chiefs 8/10 | Draw 28/1 | Bath 21/20 (18:30)

Chiefs’ Champions Cup campaign came to a sudden halt after shipping 26-second-half points in 10 minutes at Toulouse to finally go down 26-64. They’re sixth, two points off the top four ahead of this almighty clash with Bath.

The second-placed visitors claimed a 41-24 win in the reverse fixture in December but copped a 15-21 defeat at Sandy Park just a fortnight ago in the Champions Cup round of 16. Whether or not they can apply their learnings from that result will be cardinal for them, but their domestic form could see them edge it.

Verdict: Bath 21/20

This one could honestly go either way. I feel like the x-factor within Bath’s ranks could see them sneak past the Chiefs at Sandy Park. 

Sunday 21 April

Bristol 1/50 | Draw 40/1 | Newcastle 12/1 (16:00)

Handicap
Bristol (-22.5) 8/10 | Newcastle (+22.5) 9/10

Bears have won their last three in the competition and should have too much firepower for winless Falcons at Ashton Gate. Sitting fifth with all eyes on a place in the post-season, Pat Lam’s charges have amassed 142 points in those three outings and should amble to another victory here.

Verdict: Bristol (-22.5) 8/10

The winless Falcons should limp back north with their wings well and truly clipped.

Sale Sharks 2/7 | Draw 23/1 | Harlequins 29/10 (16:00)

Handicap
Sale (-9.5) 17/20 | Harlequins (+9.5) 17/20

Sale’s disappointing season continued as they were dumped out of the Challenge Cup at the round of 16 stage by Ospreys in Swansea, with their hopes of collecting any kind of silverware seemingly dead in the water. They may be just five points off the top four in seventh-place, but it looks like a case of too little too late.

Fourth-placed Quins, fresh off their thrilling 42-41 win at Bordeaux in the Champions Cup quarterfinals, are riding a wave of momentum and should follow through with another win at the AJ Bell this weekend.

Verdict: Quins (+9.5) 17/20

I’ll have a small play on ‘Quins to win on the board. They’ll be full of confidence after that thrill-a-minute win in France and will be well up for this.