The Aviva Premiership continues as England extend their games beyond the normal window. Here are my round 10 Predictions.
First here is a link to my roundup of all the action from around the globe last weekend.
How did your round 9 predictions go?
4 from 6, not a great round
Here’s my 60 second predictions, for the reasoning behind it read below.
Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
Sale have a great reputation at home and last season it was phenomenal. This year whilst has still been good they have been more fallible at home but conversely improved away. Exeter started the season poorly by their expectations or at least our expectations of them. Over the last few weeks though they have been finding their form from last year and that was formidable. So I think we will see a single score away win here.
Exeter Chiefs by 5
Bath v Saracens
Bath slipped to third after losing to Quins last weekend and whilst they started the season strongly maybe the new coach honey moon period is coming to an end. They were helped by the schedule but you can only beat the opposition that lines up against you. This week they host the reigning domestic and european champions though. Both sides will be missing key players to England and I think Saracens greater experience of this will see the through.
Saracens by 10
Gloucester Rugby v Bristol
Gloucester have been up and down all season and it’s anyones guess what we are going to get this weekend. From a pickers point of view it is made easier in that they are playing Bristol who still haven’t won in the league. Bristol have been picking up LBPs over the last few games and have picked up with performances since their coach left. Maybe a win is coming but I don’t see it this weekend.
Gloucester Rugby by 5
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
For me this is the tie of the round with all the history that goes with this midlands derby. Saints have been poor this season but will really lift themselves for this game even if they are missing players to England. Tigers on the other hand will be less impacted than in the past and are in better form. So this 1 should be a safe home win but no doubt it will still be a battle.
Leicester Tigers by 10
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins
I thought that Newcastle’s early season form was coming to an end but they got a good win last weekend even if it included a red card for the opposition. Quins are the new Sale having won all their home games and none away. So with that in mind it has to be a home win for the improved Falcons this weekend.
EDIT: A good point was made on the Quins fan forum and perhaps I have over simplified this when you consider that Quins away games have been to Wasps/Exeter/Sale/Leicester so far. I don’t change my calls but talkshowhost86 does make a good point that this will be an indicator if Quins are poor travellers or just not as good as some teams.
Newcastle Falcons by 5
Worcester Warriors v Wasps
Worcester have picked up all their points at home this season and have been really poor travellers. With Bristol starting to pick up bonus points Warriors will want to continue to pick up points at home so that they don’t get dragged into a relegation battle. The problem is that second in the table is visiting them. Wasps though have looked fallible during this international window and it’s not over yet. I still think that they will pick up the victory but maybe not by the margin we would normally expect.
Wasps by 5
#RugbyChat
Join the #RugbyChat on twitter for an hour of discussion reviewing the action on Tuesday. If you can’t make the hour then you can still give your view as the conversation keeps going over the following day.
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