Bristol tipped to surprise Leicester and more Premiership misery in store for Bath? Shaun Goosen previews.
Sunday 26 December
Bristol |12/10 | Draw 18/1 | Leicester 71/100 16:00)
Bristol will have it all to do if they are to halt Leicester’s ridiculous 13-match winning run this campaign. The Bears are 12th on the Premiership standings after enduring a horrible season so far, but crucially haven’t played since their defeat at the Kingsholm at the beginning of the month. Despite the disappointment of having both of their opening Champions Cup matches disrupted over the past fortnight, Pat Lam’s players would have enjoyed the chance to rest and will be eager to deal the Tigers their first death blow this campaign.
Aside from a bye, Leicester have been virtually non-stop this season and could be in for a massive upset defeat away from home. The Bears are tipped to get their season back on track here with a win.
Saracens | Draw | Worcester (17:00) *betting tba
After suffering a surprise 18-21 Challenge Cup defeat to Edinburgh at the StoneX, positive cases in their camp meant Saracens’ second outing against Pau was cancelled, with the French club being awarded a 28-0 win. One feels Mark McCall’s side will be intent on channelling that inner frustration into their next few Premiership matchups, which could spell bad news for the likes of the Warriors this weekend.
Worcester have won just three times this season and will struggle against what should be a determined Sarries side. The North Londoners should cruise to victory here.
Wasps 27/20 | Draw 20/1 | London Irish 63/100 (17:00)
Ninth-placed Wasps have some catching up to do on the Prem standings and currently sit seven-points behind their opponents this week. Six losses on the trot in all competitions mean alarm bells have been ringing for Lee Blackett’s men for quite some time, but a win against a good Irish team could be the tonic they need to get back on the fight this season.
The Exiles themselves haven’t lost since the end of October but that five-game unbeaten run could end here. Backs Wasps to come good in Coventry.
Newcastle 97/100 | Draw 20/1 | Sale 9/10
Newcastle host Sale looking to avenge their 25-20 defeat to the same opponents in the Premiership Rugby Cup back in November. The Falcons are eighth on the standings, just three points ahead of the 11th-placed Sharks. The visitors will be looking to put some consistency back into their game after a haphazard season so far and could win away this weekend.
There certainly is more than enough quality in this Sale Sharks side to put Newcastle away. I’m on the away win here at a shade under even money.
Bath 2/1 | Draw 22/1 | Gloucester 42/100
Gloucester will be the latest team to travel to the Rec expecting an easy win this weekend. The Cherry and Whites, who are much-improved this season, are just a point off the playoff spots in sixth. Bath continue their free-fall after more misery in the Champions Cup and will be up against it here. Back the away team to seal the deal.
Harlequins 2/9 | Draw 25/1 | Northampton 7/2
Harlequins host Northampton following some promising performances in the Champions Cup. The Premiership champions may not be the force some expected they’d be this season, but they are still putting in some great showings — as evidenced by their fourth-place position.
Saints, though, are one point and one place ahead, making Monday’s match the clash of the round. After two straight losses in Europe, Chris Boyd’s Saints will be hurting and may just sneak an upset win here.
