Sale Sharks are at Bears while Bath hosts Sarries in the final round of Gallagher Premiership matches of 2024 this weekend.
Friday 27 December
27/100 Bristol Bears | Draw 25/1 | Sale Sharks 28/10 (21:45)
Bristol put their Champions Cup disappointment behind them in next to no time after pumping Leicester 54-24 at Welford Road last week in a result very few saw coming.
With their European dreams all but over, Pat Lam’s charges should be fully focused on the Premiership from here on out and head into this clash in second, level on points with top-ranked Bath.
Sale downed Exeter 28-10 at the AJ Bell in the previous round to occupy fifth, a single point off the playoff spots. They’ve blown hot and cold so far this term, and one would think that this trip to Ashton Gate against a firing Bears unit will be too much of a stretch for them.
Verdict: Bears on the minus
Bristol is to capitalise on all five log points on Friday.
Saturday 28 December
47/100 Bath | Draw 20/1 | Saracens 37/20 (14:45)
The log leaders eased past Newcastle 40-15 at Kingston Park last time out to maintain their ascendency in England. After two frustrating Champions Cup losses in succession preceding that latest result, Johann van Graan’s men did well not to let that poor run affect their domestic form. They’re in for a stern examination on Saturday against Sarries and are in danger of being usurped at the log’s summit with defeat at the Rec.
The visitors continued their upward trajectory to down reigning champs Saints 39-24 at the StoneX last week and currently sit in third, five points off their opponents here. Although they have shown great signs already this season, victory on Saturday would well and truly place them in the category of title challengers and they’ll definitely fancy themselves come the first whistle.
Verdict: Bath on the board
This Bath side is too far along in their development to let themselves down in a challenge of this magnitude.
1/50 Northampton Saints | Draw 43/1 | Newcastle Falcons 12/1 (17:00)
After winning the title last season, Northampton have been well off the pace in 2024/25, with last week’s loss at Saracens leaving them languishing in eighth place with just three wins to their name. With Falcons (ninth) visiting Franklin’s Gardens this weekend, however, they should seize the opportunity to grab all five log points on offer.
Verdict: Northampton on the minus
The Saints are to send Newcastle packing.
51/100 Harlequins | Draw 20/1 | Leicester Tigers 17/10 (17:00)
It’s difficult knowing which of these sides’ defeats last week was worse, with Quins unable to break their bagel at Gloucester in a 14-0 reverse, and Tigers succumbing to a 30-point hiding to Bristol at home.
Saturday’s game will present each club with the chance to reclaim some measure of self-respect heading into 2025 but judging by the round eight results it’s going to take some time to get back to their best.
Although Quins will enjoy a home-ground advantage, this Leicester outfit just has something about them, and the characters in their dressing room certainly possess the bloody-mindedness to arrest their poor Premiership run and get back to winning ways.
Verdict: Leicester on the board
Tigers to get the win at the Stoop.
Sunday 29 December
77/100 Exeter Chiefs | Draw 22/1 | Gloucester 11/10 (17:00)
Exeter are still winless this season following their latest defeat at the AJ Bell, with this weekend’s matchup against Gloucester arguably coming at the worst possible time. The Cherry and Whites have won their last three straight Premiership games against Newcastle, Northampton and Quins and will be full of beans for their trip to Devon.
The Chiefs camp has been vocal about the fact that they believe their barren run will end sooner rather than later and, despite their recent troubles, back them to see off a confident Gloucester side and clinch that elusive victory on Sunday.
Verdict: Exeter on the board
Chiefs to dig deep and get their first W of the campaign.
