Just two more rounds to go in the regular Aviva Premiership season, and a few teams are already on the beach which makes predictions a little harder.
Harlequins v Wasps
Quins are fighting for a Champions Cup place, whilst Wasps are keen to ensure the top seeding going into the knockout stages. I’m leaning towards Quins with their strong home form, but it’s a 50/50 pick. Harlequins by 2.
Newcastle v Worcester
Nothing to play for here really. Newcastle at home is the safe pick, but let’s pick Worcester for an upset – they’ve won the last four against the Falcons. Worcester by 4
Leicester v Sale Sharks
A bonus point win for the Tigers will almost confirm 4th place for the team that has such a terrible season that they’ve fired two coaches. Tigers by 16
Exeter v Northampton
The Chiefs just keep on winning, and another one here will keep them in second place with one round to go – and a defeat for Saints could see them drop out of the top 6 if Quins win. Exeter by 13.
Saracens v Bristol
Sarries are back from the beach and eyeing up a second consecutive double, and this should be a walk in the park. Saracens by 34
Bath v Gloucester
Bath still has an outside chance of making the top 4, whilst Gloucester has an outside chance of making the top 6. You’d expect a home win here, given that Bath has won 7 of the last 8 West Country derbies between these two. Bath by 8
Let me know how you see the weekend going.
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Worcester are mighty impressive there, playing two games at the same time ;-)
Ah yes, thank you. Can’t get away with anything around here!
Fixed
Afraid not! Quins and Worcester wins seem interesting gambles though? Quins have been strong at home but have lost recently to two of the other top four teams at home (Tigers and Exeter)? Newcastle at home have been a tricky prospect too, only been beaten there by the top four this season, seems a risky gamble? If you go on the prinicple that there is always the possibility there will be an upset, I think the Bath game might be the one, as a Bath fan I can’t bring myself to pick it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we tripped again!
Not too sure why I fancy Worcester to win. I’m chasing in one of the Superbru pools, and these games where there’s nothing to play for can go either way at this stage of the season.
Quins at home for Nick Evans’ final fixture at the Stoop, and chasing the top 6…I think they’ll fancy beating Wasps.
Bath and Gloucester have both been fairly unpredictable this season…
My superbru logic is exactly the opposite, doing ok so playing it safe.
Quins, forgot that actually re Nick Evans final home fixture, yeah, does make it a bit of a trickier 50/50.
Whats the odds on Northampton putting themselves in a winning position only to let it slip in the last 5 minutes like they have against the rest of the top 4
I’m not sure they’ll get that close to Exeter, with a few players missing.
I can’t see Saints getting anywhere near beating the Chiefs away. Chiefs are high on confidence whereas Saints are the opposite. Playing good rugby but failing to finish the last 20 minutes.
Sarries say goodbye to Neil De Kock and Kelly Brown and I expect that to be a high score against Bristol. I thought they might rest some players, and they are, but the majority of the first team are still starting and they will be too much for Bristol.
Were not low on confidence we are low on killer instinct and winning mentality. However Hutch makes a good point that we are missing Myler and Picamoles which will make a big impact
I think that the Exeter game will be closer than predicted, Saints have really picked up recently and a win would get them straight for next season. Chiefs by 2 or Saints by 3
Calling it now. Bristol by 3.
I would go along with you except I fancy Newcastle simply because they are at home and I have them in Superbru!
Quins win was impressive! I was expecting wasps to win to be honest and just. Quins played some rugby we all knew they could early ithe season. They peaking at the right time ?
Completely agree. I thought Mike Brown was absolutely immense last night, and I’m not a very big fan of his, but he bossed that Wasps defence and made some great carries.