It’s back to domestic action after a couple of weeks of European competitions and before the November Internationals will hog our attention. Here are my predictions.
First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from around the globe last weekend.
How did your round 6 predictions go?
4 from 6, not bad as there was a draw in there.
Here are my 1 Line Predictions and read below for the full reasoning.
Northampton Saints v Gloucester Rugby
Saints had an up and down couple of games in Europe and still haven’t clicked into gear yet this season. The talk is that they have had their forward slim down to be more mobile and that means they are lacking the power to dominate teams. Gloucester had their usual good time in the Challenge Cup but this will be a different task entirely. I’m not convinced by Saints but I think at home they should take a narrow win.
Northampton Saints by 3
Harlequins v Worcester Warriors
Quins are just in the bottom half of the table having won all their home games and lost their away ones. Warriors also have dome better at home where they have gained all their points. With those records this one shouts home win and perhaps I should have gone for a couple of scores rather than just the 1.
Harlequins by 7
Saracens v Leicester Tigers
Saracens marched through the European games showing why they are favourites in all the competitions that they enter. Tigers were humbled by Glasgow but put in a much better performance the following week. The question marks around Tigers has been mainly their defence and it was much improved against Racing. It will need to be at that standard at least for them to have chance away to Saracens even though Saracens do have an injury crisis at lock. I’m still going with the home win though.
Saracens by 10
Wasps v Newcastle Falcons
Wasps had a good European break and will be looking now to push on in the Premiership. At home against Falcons they will be looking for the TBP win and I think will have too many weapons for Falcons to contain. Falcons are having a good season and sit in sixth with an away win this season. Even so this will be a challenge too far for them.
Wasps by 20
Bristol v Sale Sharks
Bristol have come out of the opening black of games with just 2 bonus points. They did have an exceptionally hard opening 5 games and they know that they need points from the next set of games. This is a good chance for them as Sale are notoriously poor travellers. I think it’s going to be tight and I’m backing the more desperate sided to edge it.
Bristol by 3
Exeter Chiefs v Bath
My pick of the round is the west country derby. Bath were Exeter’s boggy team and the last 1 that they beat in the Premiership. That was put behind them last season though. Even though Exeter aren’t in form they haven’t lost at home in the Premiership yet. Bath are sailing high in the Premiership with 5 wins. However 4 of those wins are against teams who are in the bottom half of the table. Not many teams beat Exeter at Sandy Park and so I’m going to back the home side in a relatively close game.
Exeter Chiefs by 5
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