Round 5 and nearly October already – we’ll be into the Autumn Internationals before we know it. I didn’t see any matches last weekend, because I was in Wilmington, NC for an excellent wedding, but looking at the results, the Newcastle win over Bath caught me out, as did Quins’ defeat at home to the Tigers.

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Worcester v Saracens
I can see that Saracens are resting a few players for their visit to bottom-ranked Worcester, so it might not be a huge winning margin, but they’ll still have too much for the home team. Saracens by 13.

Average Superbru prediction: Saracens by 15.31 | Bookie Handicap: Saracens -15.5

Newcastle v London Irish
A huge win for the Falcons this weekend, and this season’s dark horses should stay in the top four with a win over London Irish. In contrast to their hosts, the Exiles have struggled since their opening day victory over Harlequins. Newcastle by 16.

Average Superbru prediction: Newcastle by 10.25 | Bookie Handicap: Newcastle -14.5

Sale v Gloucester
If either side has top 6 aspirations, this is a must-win fixture. I’m leaning towards the home side on the basis of Sale’s traditionally strong home record, and Gloucester’s predictably unpredictable performances, but it’s likely to be close. The bookies are also backing Sale, whilst the Superbru community is giving Gloucester the edge. Sale by 4.

Average Superbru prediction: Gloucester by 1.33 | Bookie Handicap: Sale -5.5

Leicester v Exeter
The Tigers have put their early season wobbles behind them with two good wins over Gloucester and Harlequins, but last year’s Champions are already top of the table again and looking strong after a comfortable win over Wasps at Sandy Park last weekend. Normally it’s fairly safe to pick Leicester at Welford Road, but my gut says the Chiefs to win. Exeter by 2.

Average Superbru prediction: Exeter by 3.52 | Bookie Handicap: Leicester -2.5

Northampton v Harlequins
Another win for Saints last weekend has put them up to third in the table, which was hard to imagine during the first half drubbing in their opening match against Saracens. They are always tough to beat at home, and Quins are usually poor away (the away win over Wasps and home defeat by Tigers notwithstanding!). Northampton by 7.

Average Superbru prediction: Northampton by 6.55 | Bookie Handicap: Northampton -6.5

Wasps v Bath
You can’t lose to Newcastle at home and then beat Wasps away, so I’m looking at the home side for this match between two mid-table teams that are aiming for the top. With Danny Cipriani out, Wasps are a slightly different prospect, but they should still win this one at the Ricoh. Wasps by 6.

Average Superbru prediction: Wasps by 5.63 | Bookie Handicap: Wasps -7.5

Bets:
10 on Northampton -7.5: – odds 1.82

We had a winning bet on Northampton -7.5 points last weekend, so we’re looking to get on a roll, although my predictions are fairly similar to the bookie handicaps this week and I might be inclined not to bet anything.

The Tigers v Chiefs could go either way, so let’s ignore that one for now and look at the other five games. There’s likely to be one game that let’s down an accumulator bet, but you never know which one, so we’ll hedge a little and I’m looking at 5 fourfolds at 2 each for a potential payout of 27.53 if Sarries, Newcastle, Sale, Saines and Wasps all win.

See how well we’re doing in the LeoVegas Punters’ Union rugby betting league at puntersunion.leovegas.com. We’re going head-to-head with other UK rugby titles this season to see who can win the most rugby bets and finish top in May! Who are you betting on this weekend?

Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James