The Night Before - Round Nine

By Lawrence Aggleton
December 17 2008

The up and down of the season continues, with half of the Premiership having spent the last fortnight in the cauldron of the Heineken Cup, the other half having had a comparative rest. There are four games this weekend where one team is in the Heineken Cup and the other plays in the Challenge Cup. It'll be interesting to see how they go in terms of Heineken hangovers or Challenge Undercooking.

The last two Premiership rounds were good for me and I'm currently at 33.5/48 - .700.

Brilliance vs Tadpoles

To be honest, Bath have played pretty poorly most of the last 5 games, but they're still scoring tries and two bonus point wins on the trot are not to be sniffed at. Sale on the other hand are coming off the back of a defeat in France and have been a bit patchy recently in general - especially with news that Saint-André and Chabal are off (and McAllister potentially too?). In this situation I'll go with the home team.

Prediction: Bath 4, Sale 0

Meaaaaaaaaaaaat vs Relegated

Tigers lost in Perpignan in a spiky game, but are at home. However, Newcastle are rubbish and it wouldn't matter where they played.

Prediction: Tigers 5, Newcastle 0

Reading vs Glorsduh

Irish are riding high in the Premiership and have had a couple of weeks of Challenge Cup action to recuperate. Gloucester, while in the Heineken Cup, have had Calvisano home and away and so both teams are in a similar position. Glaws have been very quietly going about their business this season and I just have a feeling about this one.

Prediction: Irish 1, Gloucester 4

Bootboys vs New Media Favourites

Saints have had a nice hit-out against a very weak Bristol side, while Quins were thrilling everyone against Paris. Saints are always a tough proposition at home and you have to wonder how much Quins have left in the tank for this one.

Prediction: Saints 4, Quins 1

Pests vs Watford

Wasps have had a couple of good wins against Edinburgh and are slowly looking to get their season back on track. This time last year is about when they really started coming together. However, you just get the feeling that this year they don't quite have the same presence and power this year. This is the sort of game that Sarries should win if they're serious about competing.

Prediction: Wasps 1, Sarries 4

Boilers vs Briz

Worcester are a decent team. Bristol are definitely not. Away from home and off the back of little confidence, I can't see them picking up a result at Sixways.

Prediction: Worcester 4, Bristol 0