Shaun Goosen previews the second week of the 21/22 Gallagher Premiership season, with Exeter and Bristol both looking to bounce back after surprisingly heavy opening-day defeats.
Friday 24 September
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
20h45
Kingsholm Stadium
To Win Match
Gloucester 29/20
Draw 20/1
Leicester 6/10
Gloucester will need a big performance if they are to beat Leicester at the Kingsholm on Friday.
The Cherry and Whites were beaten 20-34 at Franklin’s Gardens in round one after falling to a good Saints outfit. Playing at home, and particularly after their disappointing performances last season, they could lift their game to spring a surprise here.
The Tigers are a team on the up and last week beat Exeter 34-19. They will continue to go from strength to strength this campaign under Steve Borthwick but could fall here.
Verdict: Gloucester 29/20
Leicester are still very much a team in transition but are upwardly mobile. Still, I think Gloucester will lift their game and snatch the win in front of the Kingsholm faithful on Friday evening.
Saturday 25 September
Wasps v Bristol
16h00
Coventry Building Society Arena
To Win Match
Wasps 13/10
Draw 20/1
Bristol 67/100
Bristol will be looking to bounce back after their loss last week with a win over Wasps at the Ricoh on Saturday.
The Bears fell 9-26 at home to Mark McCall’s newly promoted Saracens which they won’t take lightly. Knowing the talent and competitiveness in their squad, they will be keen on making amends this week.
This being their season opener, Wasps will need to find their rhythm quickly if they are to knock over such a talented Bristol side. Unfortunately for them, this one may have come too early.
Verdict: Bristol 67/100
This uber-talented Bristol side have a point to prove after their humbling defeat at the hands of Saracens last week. Back them to get over the line against Wasps in Coventry.
Bath v Newcastle
16h00
The Rec
To Win (80 mins)
Bath 27/100
Draw 22/1
Newcastle 29/10
After both suffering narrow losses in round one, Bath and Newcastle will want to bag a first win at the Rec on Saturday.
The hosts fell agonisingly short of beating Sale, finally going down 19-20 at the AJ Bell. Back at the Rec in front of their local support, they’ll feel confident of claiming a first win this weekend.
Newcastle lost out 20-26 at home to defending champions, Harlequins in the first round. After showing very encouraging signs over the course of the 80, they should put up another fight here but may ultimately go down.
Verdict: Bath 27/100
It would take a brave punter to against Bath this weekend, especially after their excellent showing against Sale last week. Back them to get past this test with relative ease.
Exeter v Northampton
16h00
Sandy Park
To Win (80 mins)
Exeter 1/5
Draw 25/1
Northampton 38/10
Exeter need to hit back against a solid Northampton outfit at Sandy Park on Saturday.
The Chiefs fell to the Tigers in the first round. After their loss in last season’s final, and the competitiveness expected amongst the clubs this campaign, a victory at home here is non-negotiable.
Saints will certainly test the Chiefs. Their win over Gloucester at Franklin’s Gardens last week was a goodie and they’ll take that momentum into this one in a season in which they will look to challenge for the title. They may fall short though.
Verdict: Exeter 1/5
The Chiefs are far too strong a side to go down twice in two weeks against so-called lesser opposition. Rob Baxter and Ali Hepher will demand better in front of the Sandy Park faithful, and they should get it too!
Harlequins v Worcester
16h00
The Stoop
To Win (80 mins)
Quins 1/11
Draw 33/1
Worcester 13/2
Harlequins will have a great opportunity to get their second win when they host Worcester at the Stoop.
The defending champions earned a hard fought, six-point win at Newcastle last week and can continue building up some early season momentum with another positive result at home over the Warriors.
Despite losing a massive 19 players this season, the visitors did well to earn a comfortable 36-24 win at the Sixways over London Irish in the first round. They may be hard-pressed to win again here but can do themselves some good by producing another good performance.
Verdict: Harlequins 1/11
This is the banker of the weekend. Harlequins are a far more settled side and should have very little issue sweeping the Warriors aside.
Sunday 26 September
London Irish v Sale Sharks
16h00
Brentford Community Stadium
To Win (80 mins) * betting TBA
London Irish
Draw
Sale Sharks
Sale can make it two from two when they visit the Brentford Community Stadium to tackle London Irish on Sunday.
The Sharks beat Bath by a single point at home last week. Coming up against Irish here, their power play should see them overwhelm Les Kiss’ men.
Irish could be winless after two rounds following the arrival of Sale. They’ve lost their last four against the visitors and that record doesn’t seem likely to change this weekend.
Verdict: Sale
Sale should have no issues dispatching Irish here.
