Friday 20 December
Gloucester 13/20 | Draw 23/1 | Harlequins 13/10 (21:45)
Gloucester are fifth and very much in the running for a rare play-off appearance after starting the season strongly with three from seven. They come into this one off the back of a Challenge Cup defeat at French strugglers Vannes but will feel they definitely have what it takes to see off ‘Quins at the Kingsholm.
The visitors dusted an injury-depleted Stormers team last week but should be in for a much sterner examination against the Cherry and Whites here. Danny Wilson’s charges are currently seventh and trail their opponents this week by a single log point, but their inconsistency could see them fall to another narrow defeat.
Verdict: Gloucester 13/20
Gloucester to triumph over ‘Quins at home.
Saturday 21 December
Leicester Tigers 1/3 | Draw 22/1 | Bristol Bears 5/2 (17:05)
Tigers were very impressive in their demolition of the Hollywoodbes Sharks last week, with Handre Pollard, Julian Montoya and Solomone Kata enjoying standout afternoons. Michael Cheika’s side are third heading into Saturday’s game and should reel in Bears with a second Welford Road win in successive weeks.
Second-placed Bristol are five-points better off their opponents this week but will still be feeling the brunt of big European defeats at home to Leinster (12-35) and at La Rochelle (7-35). In stark contrast to the hosts, their confidence will be low and they could succumb to another loss on the weekend.
Verdict: Leicester (-7.5) 9/10
Tigers to win comfortably against Bears.
Newcastle Falcons 6/1 | Draw 33/1 | Bath 1/10 (19:30)
Both clubs head into this one following successive defeats in Europe, but it’s Bath who should hit back harder at Kingston Park. The ninth-placed Falcons were thwarted by Pau and Dragons in the Challenge Cup and currently lie two points better off last-placed Exeter in the Premiership standings. Unfortunately for them, Bath will be back at full strength and should be in a ruthless mood after their poor Champions Cup form.
Verdict: Bath (-14.5) 9/10
Log-leading Bath to rack up a big score against Falcons.
Sale Sharks 1/7 | Draw 28/1 | Exeter Chiefs 48/10 (19:30)
Sale Sharks did well to down Racing 29-7 in Manchester a week ago in a campaign that has so far been on the underwhelming side considering that this squad were Premiership finalists just two seasons ago. Given what we’ve seen from them so far, it wouldn’t be too big a surprise if they become Chiefs’ first scalp of the season this weekend.
Exeter were always going down against an otherworldly Toulouse team in their latest Champions Cup match, but there was enough on display from Rob Baxter’s men to support the notion that theirs is a team very much on the up despite their winless season so far. After many near misses, that elusive first victory could well come into full view at the AJ Bell on Saturday.
Verdict: Exeter (+11.5) 9/10
I think Chiefs could win this, but you can’t go wrong with the 11-point buffer the handicap offers.