Round 21 of the Gallagher Premiership is upon us, with six rounds of the round robin to complete before the semi-finals, there will be some sides beginning to feel the heat.
However, Northampton is one team that can end the weekend with a spring in their step and I rate them the bet of the weekend.
Gloucester v Worcester – Round 21
Gloucester have slipped out of the top 4 in recent games but have a great opportunity to rectify that when they host the struggling Warriors on Friday night. The Warriors have just the one draw from their 10 away fixtures this season, the rest are all losses and it’s highly doubtful they’ll manage to pull off a result when you also add that in 15 home matches against Worcester, the hosts have only lost one match.
Ian Tempest takes charge and the forecast is sound.
Patchy’s Pick
My initial thinking is that the handicap is a little high, only as Gloucester are not renowned for putting teams away and it being a Friday evening. Conditions will be fine and I can see a high scoring match. For now though Worcester plus 14.5 points is a 3 Unit wager, I would have gone a little bigger but it’s the Warriors after all and not a team to risk the monthly wages on.
Bath v Sale – Round 21
Bath potentially have a chance to upstage their more fancied rivals in this fixture. They may well welcome a few players back from international duties and injuries and I suspect they’ll be a tough nut to crack on the weekend. The visitors currently lie 7th on the table and any points from this fixture will be most welcome, however I can’t shake the feeling that Bath will be up for this and are one of my best bets of the weekend.
Patchy’s Pick
This is poor gold and I am not expecting an egg on my face after this call, but I am literally bouncing around at the prospect of plus 6.5 points head start for the home side and will be lumping a solid 5 Units on this play.
London Irish v Northampton – Round 21
The Exiles are also pushing strongly for a place in the final 4 and will need to make their home advantage count in this fixture. The hosts will have a settled look about them whereas the Saints could indeed welcome a number of players back to their squad and in turn further improvement can be expected.
Wayne Barnes has the whistle and with the weather being fine, there should be plenty of points.
Patchy’s Pick
A very tough game to call as I feel both sides are very similar in style, game plan and compliment each other quite well. However I made this a choice game and with plus 4.5 points available in favour of the Saints I rate this my best bet of the weekend. Therefore a very large 6 Units is the play.
Saracens v Bristol – Round 21
Saracens will look to continue their winning ways when they host a disappointing Bristol side on Saturday afternoon. The visitors have had a frustrating season, having battled to achieve any consistency and momentum. Saracens can flatter to deceive on the odd occasion and it’s possible Bristol could mount a challenge as a result, but overall the handicap looks well set.
The weather forecast is wonderful and Christophe Ridley take’s charge.
Patchy’s Pick
No real fancy here and will sidestep this match for now.
Wasps v Newcastle – Round 21
It appears as though Wasp’s season has stuttered to a disappointing halt after looking promising just a few weeks back. They do have an opportunity here though, against Newcastle, but shouldn’t take their visitors too lightly as the Falcons can be tough to break down at times. To be fair Wasps have been plagued by an awful injuries list but have shown they are capable to mount a serious challenge for a play off berth if things go their way.
Patchy’s Pick
The hosts certainly could cover this handicap but I feel in current circumstances it’s a little high, but just the 2 Units on the Falcons plus 14.5 points is enough.
Exeter v Leicester – Round 21
This appears to be the game of the weekend and being televised makes it a must to have a wager on. Both sides welcome several players back into the ranks. It’s Exeter though who will want to grind out a result here, lying 4th on the table and with Gloucester , Irish and Sale all lying within striking distance they will be under pressure for the result. Having enjoyed such a wonderful season the Tigers will be intent on keeping the momentum strong but they may have to play second fiddle here this afternoon.
Patchy’s Pick
In another confident call I’m going to have a 4 Unit strike on Exeter minus 1.5 points.
Follow me on Twitter @BrenHbetsnet to check out all my tips.
Look out for Boosted Odds and bet on Rugby at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
