With the start of the Six Nations almost upon us, there are a number of players away on international duties. However (and I promise I have not lost my sanity), Bath are the best bet of the weekend!
Bath v Harlequins – Round 13
Giving them a chance to beat the cap against Leinster last week at the Rec, it’s plain to see Bath are on a hiding to nothing. There will be a time of course when they fluke a result but for now, they are in the doldrums and make very little appeal on betting markets.
A late try by talisman Alex Dombrandt spared Quins’ blushes as they again showed what a resilient side they are.
Christophe Ridley is the man in charge and condition cloudy but heavy.
Patchy’s Preview
This is a tougher call than it looks. You have Bath who, on one hand, are hopeless. Elsewhere, Quins may have beaten one cap the whole season.
Quins look to lose five players and Bath lose three to Internationals. Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt is a huge loss for Quins. Bath are onto their fifth rate flyhalf who normally plays centre.
It’s a game fraught with danger but I feel Bath are worthwhile following at plus 12.5 points for a full 4 Units.
London Irish v Exeter – Round 13 (Boosted Odds on Match Result market)
London Irish were soundly beaten by Saracens last week in the Challenge Cup and have been an enigma this season with one of their surprise wins being at Sandy Park in October. Their home form is not as they would like with just the one win and two draws this season.
Exeter, meanwhile, were involved in a high scoring match in Montpellier and weren’t at their best. Revenge will be on their minds after the defeat last year.
Matt Carley is in charge and the forecast is cloudy and mild.
Patchy’s Preview
With Exeter in good form at the moment they’ll want to have the final laugh against the Exiles. However, they lose eight players while the hosts lose just the one.
Not surprisingly, London Irish are priced up as marginal favourites and the Exiles would be thrilled to beat Exeter twice in one season. That being said, I can’t overlook Exeter on the plus 3.5 points and will have to throw 2 Units at that.
Newcastle v Gloucester – Round 13 (Boosted Odds on Match Result market)
It appears as though Newcastle’s season is beginning to unravel at a rate of knots this after having enjoyed one of their better starts to a campaign. Their last win in the Premiership was in November where they too pulled off a single point victory at Exeter.
They face Gloucester this weekend who continue to be one of the form teams in the competition with seemingly very few chinks in their armour. They lie fourth in the table and have won four of their last five Premiership outings.
The referee is Jack Makepeace and the weather up north is cloudy and mild.
Patchy’s Preview
There is minimal disruption for the Falcons, losing just the one player while Gloucester lose three.
It makes the fixture a little tricky with improvement expected from the hosts after the break but I can’t help but think the Cherry and Whites are just too well coached and riding the crest of the wave at the moment.
I think Gloucester will cover the cap here and am taking Gloucester minus 2.5 points for 3 Units.
Worcester v Northampton – Round 13 (Boosted Odds on Match Result market)
The Warriors were most unlucky to be the ones who Bath broke their maiden win of the season with. Playing the game with 14 men for 74 minutes, they were plucky and quite frankly the better side. Currently second off the bottom with just three wins this season they’ll want to finish the second half of proceedings in better fashion.
Enjoying a bye last week, Saints pushed Ulster all the way at Franklin Gardens the week prior and, when on song, can score tries from just about anywhere. Saints have won their last eight matches against the Warriors.
Same weather in Worcester and the referee is Ian Tempest in his 100th appearance.
Patchy’s Preview
The Warriors lose a single player while the Saints are missing five. It certainly gives the hosts a chance but to price Worcester up as slight favourites just doesn’t sit well with me. Having said that I think Saints are ordinary without some key personal and the Warriors are a confident selection to win on the match result at 11/10 for 3 Units.
Sale v Leicester – Round 13 (Boosted Odds on Match Result market)
Sale finally showed what they are capable of when easily dispatching Ospreys last week. There were moments where they appeared to be making hard work of it as they butchered a number of try scoring opportunities but quickly asserted themselves to run out very easy winners.
However, they face a huge challenge against Leicester and one will have an idea after the game whether they have the armoury to stake a claim in either the Premiership or Champions Cup.
Cooler conditions and a 50% chance of showers, Craig Maxwell-Keys is the referee.
Patchy’s Preview
Leicester could find themselves vulnerable as they are without five players though Sale go without four. Sale appear to be coming along nicely and with the core of their South Africans still there I think they’ll win this. The handicap is well priced though and as a result just the 2 Units Sale minus 2.5 points.
Wasps v Saracens – Round 13
Having had a chance to qualify for the last 16 in the Champions Cup the hosts simply never showed up last week in Limerick and were bullied from start to finish by Munster. It appeared as though they might have turned the corner after back-to-back wins against quality opposition prior to Munster and it might be back to the drawing board for the coaching team.
It’s not going to get any easier either as they now face Saracens who will arrive in fine form and who currently lie 2nd in the Premiership.
Possible showers and cloudy, the referee is Wayne Barnes in his 251st appearance.
Patchy’s Preview
With Sarries losing a possible seven, they still have a lot of depth across the park and the bookies are taking no chances,
Wasps lose just the one forward. It would be beneficial to keep an eye on team announcements as surely Wasps could expect a few players back any moment.
The handicap looks a little large for me at 8, and less so now at 6, therefore will suggest 3 Units on the plus 6.5 points Wasps.
Have a super weekend and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @BrenHbetsnet.
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