I found myself refreshing my app every few seconds last Sunday during the Exiles v Gloucester match. London Irish had built a 17-6 lead and my weekend counted on them winning the match, but it wasn’t to be a happy ending unfortunately, as the team imploded to draw their second match of the season 25-25. I still shake my head; they blew it and my bank balance to boot.
In other news, Saracens who let us down at home the week before, completely dismantled a poor and disinterested Bath and Leicester remain the only unbeaten side in the Premiership.
Saints v Warriors – Round 6
Friday’s action takes place at Franklin’s Gardens and sees the return of the home side who lost their unbeaten start to the season at Wasps last weekend.
They’ll be glad to see their opposition this week is a team in poor form and very little confidence. The Warriors have fallen on hard times and come off the back of two large defeats.
The weather for Friday is mild with a light breeze, the referee is Ian Tempest.
Betting Angle – Round 6
One cannot rely on Warriors with any conviction, they are not scoring, and their defence is leaking badly.
It is a Friday night though and these late kick offs sometimes tend to allow the weaker team to keep things a little tighter than perhaps a day game.
The handicap looks about right and if anything, I would lean on the Saints to cover the 15.5 start Worcester receive.
However, my real fancy for the game will be unders in the match, with my thinking that Worcester may keep things tighter than recent performances but may still battle to score points themselves.
The teams were announced with the Warriors fielding 3 new starters.
Patchy’s Picks: 1 Unit on Northampton minus 15.5 @17/20. 3 Units on the Total Unders 48.5 pts @17/20.
Exeter v London Irish – Round 6
Exeter were made to work hard last week away to Wasps, eventually digging out a 23-27 victory.
London Irish have played 5 games, two draws and three losses and this is the last fixture they would have wanted. This is their 6th game with the core of the team still the same as week 1 with very little rotation and, I feel, they are there for the taking.
The forecast is for a mild temperature and light winds, the referee is Hamish Smales in only his 5th Premiership match.
Betting Angle – Round 6
London Irish make the daunting trip down to Sandy Park on Saturday and one does not envy their task ahead.
Exeter will have eyed this fixture as a great opportunity for 5 league points and with a strong defence it’s hard to make any sort of case for the Exiles other than making up the numbers.
It should be business as usual for Exeter and might see the visitors putting up a fight early and then conceding a few after the initial resistance.
Patchy’s Pick: 3 Units Exeter minus 17.5 at 15/20
Gloucester v Newcastle – Round 6
Gloucester are a much-improved side from last season and are a dangerous attacking side, much the same ilk as Quins.
The Cherry and Whites have a good opportunity here to return to winning ways after drawing away to London Irish last week, although the Falcons have shown decent away form in contrast to last season and come off a win over Bristol in Newcastle, albeit a weakened Bristol.
Similar weather, a light wind and mild temperatures, the referee is Wayne Barnes a renowned total points overs ref.
Betting Angle – Round 6
This game has the makings of a good one. Both teams are in fair form and both will feel they have a chance of winning.
Gloucester will run the ball no doubt whilst the Falcons have shown the ability to keep things tight when needed.
I feel this game will be keenly contested and therefore a reasonable plus on the visitors looks the way to go.
Patchy’s Pick: Newcastle Falcons plus 5.5pts @ 1.88 for 3 Units.
Harlequins v Bath – Round 6
Quins were narrowly beaten by a well drilled Sale outfit last week. They were beaten to the punch on that occassion but still showed plenty of dangerous line breaks and attacking play.
Their opponents on the other hand were disastrous at home against Saracens last week, conceding their most ever points the Premiership. What to make of that is anybody’s guess and if they play in similar fashion, they’re going to sustain another large beating.
The weather is mild and pleasant and the referee is Luke Pearce.
Betting Angle – Round 6
The handicap is well set and like the Saints summary I would lean towards the minus 17.5 Harlequins. But that’s based on the performance last week at the Rec. With that in mind it’s a no bet for me.
Patchy’s Pick: No Bet.
Leicester v Sale – Round 6
Leicester Tigers are the only unbeaten team left in the Premiership, a storming win at Sixways last week just confirms what a top side this currently is. Not a team that normally wins by a country mile they took the sword to the Warriors last week and will feel confident of notching up their 6th win on the trot albeit it should be a tough one against Sale who look to be improving once again with their squad nearing full strength.
The weather forecast is once again mild, the referee is Karl Dickson.
Betting Angle – Round 6
I’m expecting this match to be bone crunching and very physical.
Both sides have impressive defence and very strong packs. Initially I made this a 3-point game in favour of the hosts and when I saw the bookies price up plus 5.5 my mind was made up.
I like Sale this week on the handicap and give them a good chance of winning the game.
Also, considering the hosts have lost their last 5 matches against Sale, I’ll back the visitors in keeping that record intact.
Patchy’s Pick: Sale plus 6.5pts @17/20 for 4 Units. Sale match winner @ 43/20 for 1.5 Units.
Saracens v Wasps – Round 6
One would be forgiven for doubting Sarries were playing in a lesser league until recently. They’ve hit the ground running and appear to be worthy favourites at this stage to win the 2021/22 Premiership.
There is no sign of any ring rustiness nor a shortage of depth all around the park. For the visitors, they are still missing a number of 1st team starters but have done very well, so far, to fill the gaps.
Mild weather with a 35% chance of showers, the referee is Matthew Carley.
Betting Angle – Round 6
I missed out on the Saracens try frenzy last weekend when they trounced an abysmal Bath outfit.
It was a stamp of authority the way they were in complete control of the game from start to finish. It was a case of men playing against boys, but this time around they should be pressed to a far greater degree by a Wasps team playing good rugby, this despite missing several key players due to injury.
It’s not a game to get involved in as I don’t really see too much value.
The handicap as first glance could be a point or two too low and I’ll tentatively have a small bet on Saracens to win by 21 or more with Wasps missing a few more players for this fixture.
Patchy’s Pick: Just the 2 unit bet on the home side minus 20.5pts at 17/20.
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