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Gallagher Premiership

PREVIEW: Saracens hunting down table-topping Leicester as Premiership regular season draws to a close

Shaun Goosen previews this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership matches as the scramble for play-off berths hots up

Leicester Tigers - Gallagher Premiership

The defending champs are third, five-points behind second-placed Saracens and still with an outside shot at claiming a home semi-final

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Gallagher Premiership | Friday 29 April

Northampton v Harlequins
20h45
Franklin’s Gardens

To Win (80 mins)
Saints 5/4 | Draw 25/1 | Quins 66/100

Harlequins will look to keep up the pressure on Saracens when they travel to Franklin’s Gardens to tackle Northampton on Friday. The defending champs are third, five-points behind second-placed Saracens and still with an outside shot at claiming a home semi-final. The fourth-placed hosts are nine-points further back and remain in danger of missing out on the playoffs with Exeter and Gloucester each just a point back. While Quins won’t hold back, Northampton’s desperation should see win this one.

Verdict: Saints


Sale v Newcastle
20h45
AJ Bell Stadium

To Win (80 mins)
Sale 1/10, Draw 28/1, Newcastle 6/1

Sale are still in the hunt for a Champions Cup place when they host Newcastle at the AJ Bell on Friday. The Sharks are ninth, two-points off seventh-placed London Irish with the top seven teams in the competition qualifying for next season’s Heineken Cup. Beating a Falcons outfit languishing in 11th should be no problem here.

Verdict: Sale

 

Gallagher Premiership | Saturday 30 April

Gloucester v Bath
16h00
Kingsholm

To Win (80 mins)
Gloucester 1/7, Draw 28/1, Bath 48/10

Gloucester’s race for a top four finish continues when Bath visit the Kingsholm on Saturday. The Cherry and Whites are sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Exeter and a single point off Saints in fourth. With the regular season coming to a close, picking up a win over bottom-placed Bath here is a non-negotiable — and they should get the job done.

Verdict: Gloucester

 

Worcester v Saracens
16h00
Sixways Stadium

To Win (80 mins)
Worcester 9/1 | Draw 40/1 | Sarries 1/25

Worcester will be under fire when Saracens come knocking at the Sixways on Saturday. Mark McCall’s side are fresh off their 38-22 defeat of Exeter and are sitting pretty in second, five clear of next-best Quins. Considering the Warriors’ form this season, they shouldn’t put up much of a fight.

Verdict: Sarries

 

Leicester v Bristol
16h00
Welford Road

To Win (80 mins)
Leicester 1/5 | Draw 22/1 | Bristol 38/10

Bristol will have it all to do when they travel to Welford Road to take on Leicester on Saturday. After topping the standings last season, the Bears have endured a campaign to forget this time round. With just seven wins and 14 losses, and coming up against the leaders looking to maintain their ascendency at the summit, things could get ugly.

Verdict: Leicester


Gallagher Premiership | Sunday 1 May

London Irish v Wasps
16h00
Brentford Community Stadium

To Win (80 mins)
Irish 8/10 | Draw 25/1 | Wasps 21/20

Wasps can usurp London Irish on the log with a win at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday. Lee Blackett’s men are just a point and place off their opponents this week and will be eager to leapfrog them into seventh, and thus a place in the Champions Cup spots. Their confidence will be high after their big win over Worcester a week ago and should elevate them to victory here.

Verdict: Wasps

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