Zurich Premiership Betting Tips - Round One

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By WellSaint
August 29 2002

Its Round One of the Zurich Premiership this weekend and our new site tipster, Wellsaint, brings you the very cream of gaming predictions both straight and hadicapped for this weeks games.

Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints (Fri)

The opening game of the new season, and probably the hardest game to call of
the opening weekend. Saints travel North with Mark Connors on the bench and
11 internationals in the team. Sale, who exceeded all expectations when
finishing 2nd in the ZP last year and winning the Parker Pen Shield, will
fancy their chances of getting their season off to a winning start. As I
said, a hard one to call - it will be less than a score either way: I hope
it will be Saints. Prediction: Saints by four.


Leeds Tykes vs The Pooh Corner Posse (Sat., live on Lardy'n'Florist TV,
singles available all bookmakers)

The betting angle on this will depend on how many points start Leeds
receive. If Leeds receive a start of more than two scores, then I would
advise backing Leeds; if the handicap is tighter, then the PCP would be the
logical choice. Prediction: PCP by twelve.


NEC Harlequins vs Gloucester (Sat)

Probably the second tightest game, but the angle here is to back Harlequins,
primarily because of Gloucester's weakness on the road. Harlequins look to
be near to full strength, although Duncombe is out at scrum-half.
Prediction: Harlequins by six.


London Irish vs Bath (Sun)

An easier call. London Irish looked good at the Sevens, and the team looks
relatively established. Bath have injury worries: no Balshaw or Borthwick,
Tindall only a possibility, and much rebuilding to do. The Madjet is not
the ideal place to start. Prediction: London Irish by fifteen points. This
is the best bet of the weekend.


Newcastle Falcons vs Wasps (Sun)

Another tight game: I fancy Wasps to come good this year. This is the kind
of game they need to be winning if that is to be the case. With that in
mind - prediction: Wasps by six points.


Bristol Shoguns vs Saracens (Sun)

I think that Bristol are the more logical choice, given home advantage.
Sarries have a great new coach in Buck Shelford, but it may be a little
while before they are firing on all cylinders. Prediction: Bristol by
eight.

My suggested bets (at this early stage) would be:

London Irish, Harlequins, Bristol in a treble. - five units

London Irish, Leeds*, Wasps in a treble. - three units

Saints to beat Sale - five unit single

Leeds* to beat PCP - ten unit single

*In the case of Leeds, assuming fifteen points or more head start.

Total stakes - twenty three units

Please note that a unit can be any amount you want. The reason I refer to
units is to show the relative difference between how much to stake on each
bet.

I hope to be able to update this with the bookmaker's list tomorrow
afternoon, so watch the message board!

Good luck with your rugby bets this weekend, and

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wellsaint