Saturday 4 January
Gloucester 93/100 | Draw 18/1 | Sale Sharks 19/20
Gloucester became Chiefs’ first scalp of the season at Sandy Park last week in a result that would hardly have thrilled supporters of the club. Still, they sit in a strong position in sixth, just four-points outside the top four and will be aiming to go up a gear with a playoff berth as close as it’s been in a long time.
Sale came out of nowhere to smack red-hot Bristol 38-0 at Ashton Gate in one of the results of the season. After underwhelming for the majority of their campaign, the Mancunian club now find themselves on a three-game winning run in the Premiership and their good form should be extended against the Cherry and Whites on Saturday.
Verdict: Sale on the board
Sale will be high on confidence ahead of this clash thanks to their awesome result at Exeter and should outdo the hosts.
Leicester Tigers 2/11 | Draw 25/1 | Exeter Chiefs 42/10
Leicester are without a win in their last three Premiership matches and have now dropped outside the top four following their latest 34-all draw at Harlequins.
They face Chiefs at Welford Road ahead of the European break in what should prove to be a tricky test for Michael Cheika’s men given the Devon-based club just got the monkey off the back with a first win of the season.
Chiefs’ 22-15 defeat of Gloucester, described as “better than sex” by midfielder Henry Slade, brought a massive weight off Rob Baxter’s shoulders.
His side now have something to work with and the spirit in the camp will doubtless have hit new heights as they head to Tigers for what will be another tough challenge.
Verdict: Chiefs on the plus
Tigers to get the win, but it won’t come easy.
Saracens 34/100 | Draw 22/1 | Bristol Bears 49/20
14-man Saracens were torn apart by Bath at the Rec last week, finally falling to an abysmal 10-68 drubbing in a game Mark McCall’s men would be wise to forget as quickly as possible.
That result has seen them drop to fourth ahead of the visit of Bristol this weekend in a game that could make or break their upcoming performances in the Champions Cup.
Bears looked a shadow of the team that had won at Leicester in round eight as they were obliterated at home by Sale last week.
Although Saracens were arguably just as poor in their defeat, Bristol will find it difficult to hit back so soon at the StoneX given what we saw from them last time out.
Verdict: Saracens on the board
The hosts to get back to winning ways.
Sunday 5 January
Northampton Saints 57/100 | Draw 20/1 | Bath 31/20
Northampton’s pummelling of Newcastle a week ago will provide them with something in the way of self-belief as they prepare to host the table-toppers; a side that triumphed 38-16 in the round one reverse clash following their meeting in last season’s Grand Final.
Whether they’ve shored up enough of the weaknesses in their game to prevent a similar result this weekend will be the deciding factor against such a ruthlessly efficient Bath attack.
Boosted by a Will Muir hattrick and vintage performance by Finn Russell, Bath tore Sarries to shreds in round nine and will be champing at the bit for a chance to maintain their strong run by making it a double over Saints this season.
Victory on Sunday would be a huge statement from Johann van Graan’s side, with daylight beginning to open up at the summit of the log.
Verdict: Bath to win
The visitors to make waves at Franklin’s Gardens.