Bristol v Bath – Round 3
Bristol return home after suffering a massive defeat up in Coventry. Pat Lam must be wondering where it’s all gone wrong after losing their opening two matches. What’s really looking poor is their attack and although I thought they may bounce back to their best last weekend I managed to stay clear of that match from a punting point of view.
Bath are in a similar predicament after they let the match get away from them when narrowly losing to Sale and then last weekend were ambushed at home by a well drilled Falcons side. They required a late penalty to pick up a losing bonus point.
Betting Angle – Round 3
The visitors have a growing injury list whilst Bristol are searching for some divine intervention. It’s likely some bottoms were spanked in the change room this week and Pat Lam will be under enormous pressure to manage a decent win.
You have a possibility of some rain about, but it should have the best weather of the weekend’s fixtures. Keep an eye on it.
What to make of this game is anybody’s guess? But I do feel Bristol are to be allowed another chance to redeem themselves. Sinckler returns and there may be a few other players throughout the weekend who become available for their respective teams.
Referee: Ian Tempest (92nd Premiership game)
Patchy’s Picks: Bath have been poor so far and this is a derby match after all. On the evidence we have seen so far, it’s probably a wise move to have a nibble on the visitors keeping it as tight as possible and with that in mind the unders looks fair.
3 Units Hollywoodbets Bath +9.5 @17/20
1 Unit Hollywoodbets Unders 48.5 points
Northampton v London Irish – Round 3
In stark contrast to last season’s beginning the Saints have rounded off two very good wins. Most notably last week’s away win at Sandy Park in Exeter. They are looking decent so far and have a committed attack and reasonable defensive structure.
Their visitors continue to leak points at an alarming rate. I was at the London Irish game last weekend and was astounded at how poor their defence was. Admittedly their attack is still dangerous, but they are unable to score more than they are conceding at the moment and some serious attention to their defensive frailties needs to be addressed.
Betting Angle – Round 3
The Saints must be licking their chops at the thought of London Irish’s leaky defence although this may well be slightly neutralised with poor weather forecast.
Rain is the order of the day but like most things it can vary and it’s best to wait till just before kick off to decide on a plan of action especially as Franklin Gardens is an all-grass pitch.
I’m speculating at this stage and won’t pull the trigger until conditions are confirmed, but I do feel that if “wet an nasty” then the plus Irish is worth a small interest. They should revert to a more conservative game plan and may be able to frustrate their hosts.
Referee: Tom Foley (100th Premiership game)
Patchy’s Picks: Don’t get me wrong Patchy is a fan of the Exiles but always plans to end up with some pound in the purse. So if rain is falling we’ll follow with 2 units on London Irish at 8.5 pts available at Hollywoodbets @ 17/20
Leicester Tigers v Saracens – Round 3
The Tigers are also unbeaten, like the Saints and have indicated that they are a side on the up. Politics and management seem to have finally settled their differences and it’s showing on the pitch. Two bonus point wins sees them top of the log and they must be confident of turning over Sarries who had a bye after defeating Bristol at home in week 1.
Betting Angle – Round 3
The B & I internationals are still out at this stage and with Bristol’s subsequent loss Sarries win not be as impressive as originally thought. Once again, the weather Gods will determine a lot in this match but one in which I feel the hosts will relish.
They’re playing on a natural pitch but one that is held together by a membrane keeping it tight and consistent.
Christophe Ridley (44th Premiership game)
Patchy’s Picks: Patchy’s confused in this one, I want to go for Leicester but if conditions are poor then this really could come down to trench warfare and discipline. 2 Units Leicester plus 1.5 at Hollywoodbets @17/20.
Newcastle v Wasps – Round 3
The Falcons return home after a successful raiding mission on Bath last weekend. Their first game of the season resulted in a narrow loss to Quin’s, and this should be a great game to watch after their visitors Wasps dismantled a poor Bears team last weekend.
Betting Angle – Round 3
Two teams with an air of confidence meet here. The hosts have a decent record at home the last two season’s and although the weather may be poor it is one of those hybrid pitches that will assist handling and points.
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (7th Premiership game)
Patchy’s Picks: This is a no bet game for me.
Worcester v Gloucester – Round 3
Worcester have made some changes to personal on the field and management. They disposed of the Exiles in Round 1 with ease and finished well within the handicap against Quin’s last week losing by 6.
They host a Gloucester team who are 0/2 so far but who have shown periods of good play but need to be more consistent and play for the full 80 minutes.
Referee: Andrew Jackson (29th Premiership game)
Betting Angle – Round 3
Worcester will want to continue their good start to the season and although Gloucester will be up for the challenge, I feel the Warriors will grind out a win and just about cover the cap.
Patchy’s Picks: 2 Units on the Warriors minus 3.5 pts ay Hollywoodbet @ 17/20.
Sale v Exeter – Round 3
Sunday’s fixture take place up in Salford where Sale host last year’s finalists Exeter. Sale were guilty in both matches played so far of building up good leads before allowing the opposition back into the game with poor second half performances.
Exeter arrive and are another side that has not played as well as they would have liked. Granted they are missing players still associated with the B & I tour but 0/2 is not a great stat so far this season. In some good news for Exeter, it was confirmed Stuart Hogg would be starting this Sunday, whilst there may be another surprise return after teams are announced later today or tomorrow.
Betting Angle – Round 3
Sale has an all-grass pitch and could be quite wet by the time kick off comes. Of course, they could opt to cover it for as long as possible. With loads of rain about this is looking like a lovely “unders” in the total points department. Both sides have decent packs and as a result this should be another war of attrition if the forecasts are to be believed.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (99th Premiership game)
Possibility of showers and rain.
Patchy’s Picks: Sadly, no total points are up as yet but I will be looking at unders in this match. If it’s still quite wet, I’ll be happy to climb on the bus at around 40.5 points for 3 units. 1 Unit Sale plus 1.5 pts at Hollywoodbets @17/20
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