Zurich Premiership Betting Preview Rd 12

By Wellsaint
December 22 2004

The matches are previewed below in the order they appeared on my fixtures list, so I would advise that anyone going check the date and kick off time of their fixture elsewhere (Saints details are correct - promise!)

Leicester v Worcester

Top takes on 11th and Leicester, who beat Worcester convincingly at Sixways, should have no worries here, even with their much chronicled (and often echoed!) injury problems. Tigers by 25.

Saracens v Harlequins

A difficult game to call as both of these sides are maddeningly inconsistent (this also sounds familiar!) Quins seemed to be turning the corner, but back to back losses in the Heineken, together with Bath dumping them out the Powergen, means that Quins haven't quite discovered the magical formula yet. Sarries beat Newcastle narrowly last week in the cup and will
fancy their chances of winning again this week. Of course, the league meeeting was the start of the mini Quins revival with Quins getting the fastest ever four try bonus point in the history of the premiership. But with Quins being so in and out, Sarries must be the call, and I take them to win by six.

Leeds v Newcastle

Possibly the closest game of the weekend and therefore the hardest to call. Leeds blitzed Bees in the Cup last week whilst Newcastle lost out narrowly. With home advantage, I take Leeds to win the tightest of tight games by two points.

London Irish v Saints - live on Sky Sports, Mon 27 Dec, k.o. 3pm

Am I glad this one's on TV (trip to Reading the day after the railways have been closed for two days? An offer I can definitely refuse!) For Saints of course, the only way is up (thankfully not part of my record collection ;-)) but this is a really hard ask. Irish are Saints bogey side of the last few seasons, and I can't see us winning this game, although I can see us keeping it close. Irish will fancy their chances, as, with a relatively easy run of games, they will fancy their chances of consolidating a European place for next season. I take Irish to win by six.

Wasps v Gloucester

Possibly the match of the round; Wasps won the earlier game at Kingsholm and I take them to win again, as Gloucester have a fairly lengthy injury list. This is of course assuming that Wasps decide to play the first team and not the seconds that were taken to extra time by Bristol and managed to lose to Worcester at Sixways! As I say, assuming Wasps play their full team, I take them to win by eight.

Sale v Bath

A dress rehearsal for the quarter finals of the Powergen, this - as is the Wasps - Gloucester match above (although Gloucester will be at home in the Cup.) Bath's injury crisis continues with them on the look out for a scrum half. Sale are going well this season and I take them to win this game by ten points.

Well, that's Round 12 sorted. The Betting Column may not appear next week (due to lack of net access over Xmas) but will definitely be back with the Heineken Cup action in the first week of January. Until then, may I wish you all a very very Merry Christmas.