Powergen Cup Quarter Final Betting Preview

By Wellsaint
January 24 2003

La plume de ma tante. Deux bieres, s'il vous plait. L'arbitre c'est un breu... Sorry, getting carried away practicing my French there. Time for a look at this week's games, starting at the Wreck... hope it's dry, for starters...

WELLSAINT'S POWERGEN CUP QUARTER FINAL PREVIEWS

Bath v Saints (kick off 2.15 p.m.)

Saints travel to Bath boosted by the news that both Budge and AB are fit to play, which will shore up the scrum. Bath have Balshaw on the
crocked list. The Rec is never the easiest place to get a result, and the weather may play a part in the game (i.e. if it rains, don't expect a high scoring classic!!)

I expect Saints to win this - my guess is a seven point margin of victory. One point of concern is that the referee's name is L Ibel...*



Quins v Leicester (kick off 2.45 p.m. - live on BBC1 Grandstand)

Quins get the opportunity to go for three cup knock outs in a row against the Tigs. I wouldn't be surprised if they did it, either. Quins to win, very narrowly!!



Gloucester v Saracens (kick off 3.00 p.m.)

Saracens have been saying they fear a Gloucester backlash. I'd be worried too! After going out of the Heineken Cup due to a slight miscalculation vis-a-vis the points difference (see my French is improving!) you can bet that Glos will be all fired up for this one.
Gloucester steamrolled Sarries earlier in the season. A repeat is on the cards with Gloucester to win by around fifteen points.



London Irish v Rotherham (kick off Sunday, sometime)

Irish saw off Toulouse last week at the Madjet and must be strong favourites to see off Rotherham. Rotherham aren't in here to make up
the numbers though - they beat Bristol away last round. Irish will win but I don't think it will be a runaway victory. I select Irish by 12.


Selections

Saints by 7
Quins by 2
Gloucester by 15
Irish by 12


NFL fans will know it is the Superbowl on Sunday between the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I fancy Oakland to beat the
handicap line of -3.5 points (this is an American line - the English prices are usually broadly similar.)

Good luck with your bets this weekend, and

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!



*Apologies for the earlier error. The Referee's name should have read S Lander and not L Ibel. I keep getting those two mixed up for some
reason.....

By the way, I hate blowing my opwn trumpet, but I hope you followed last week's tips - 100% correct.