Harlequins are at the home of the champions while Saracens host Exeter Chiefs in the pick of round three Gallagher Premiership action.
Friday 4 October
56/100 Sale Sharks | Draw 20/1 | Gloucester 31/20
Handicap
Sale (-4.5) 9/10 | Gloucester (+4.5) 9/10
Sale were brushed aside 26-45 at Saracens last week and will look to get back to winning ways as soon as possible by downing the Cherry and Whites in Manchester. It’s still early doors, but Paul Deacon’s eighth-placed side cannot afford to fall any further behind and will be confident of claiming another home victory.
Gloucester are riding a wave of momentum into this one after shocking Bears 44-41 at Ashton Gate. That result could be the catalyst for the perennial Premiership strugglers to galvanise themselves this season, and following it up with another strong showing at the AJ Bell would be immense. Unfortunately for them, they could lack the cattle up front to pose a real threat.
Verdict: Sale to win
The hosts to grind out the win.
19/100 Northampton Saints | Draw 28/1 | Harlequins 37/10
Handicap
Saints (-11.5) 17/20 | Harlequins(+11.5) 17/20
After falling to Bath first up, Northampton earned their first campaign win against Exeter last week in a 30-24 victory at Franklin’s Gardens. They’re in for another stiff challenge in the form of Quins on Friday, with this fixture last season decided in the Saints’ favour by just three points.
Like Northampton, Quins put a round one loss behind them in beating Newcastle 28-14 at The Stoop last week. This week, however, they face their toughest game yet, and will hope Leigh Halfpenny can replicate his heroics against Falcons come kick-off against the defending champs.
Verdict: Saints to win
Northampton to get their second win of the season.
Saturday 5 October
24/100 Bath | Draw 22/1| Bristol Bears 32/10
Handicap
Bath (-9.5) 17/20 | Bears (+9.5) 17/20
Bath’s 20-15 victory over Tigers at Welford Road was a seriously impressive result and highlights again just how motivated this current crop are. With inconsistent Bristol visiting The Rec on Saturday, they should make it three wins out of three.
Bears’ Ashton Gate defeat to Gloucester is the kind of result that can derail a campaign before it’s even really begun. Pat Lam’s boys need to take a hard look at themselves going forward, but Saturday’s matchup with Bath looks out of their reach at this stage.
Verdict: Bath on the minus
The hosts to comfortably hold off Bears.
4/1 Newcastle Falcons | Draw 25/1 | Leicester Tigers 2/11
Handicap
Newcastle (+10.5) 17/20 | Leicester (-10.5) 17/20
Michael Cheika’s Tigers will take the hard lessons from their home loss to Bath forward with them this campaign as they look to be amongst the title challengers once more. Given the ambition at the club, they should have no trouble getting past the Falcons at Kingston Park.
Verdict: Leicester on the minus
Leicester to pick up the away win.
Sunday 6 October
1/10 Saracens | Draw 28/1| Exeter Chiefs 6/1
Handicap
Saracens (-14.5) 17/20 | Chiefs (+14.5) 17/20
Sarries are one of two remaining unbeaten teams left in the competition, with a round one defeat of Gloucester followed up by last week’s victory at home over Sale. With old foes Chiefs visiting the StoneX on Sunday, Mark McCall and his charges have another golden opportunity to lay down a marker early in the season and continue their ideal start.
Exeter are nought from two after losing out to Tigers at home and then Saints at Franklin’s Gardens. Although they will still have time to claw themselves back into playoff contention after call of business on the weekend, another defeat and the alarm bells won’t be far away.
Verdict: Saracens to win
The hosts to make it three wins from three and heap more misery on Chiefs.
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