Aviva Premiership: Back Sale Sharks to add to Worcester Warriors' woes

Simon Mail
22 November 2013

Dean Ryan's side are currently propping up the Premiership

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Simon Mail previews the next batch of televised Premiership games and thinks Sale Sharks will pile the misery on bottom side Worcester...

"The Sharks claimed a 29-15 victory over Worcester last month at Sixways in the Amlin Challenge Cup and will be expecting a similar result this weekend."

Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors
Friday, 19.45
Live on BT Sport 1

Sale Sharks have found consistency hard to come by this season although they are still in a much stronger position than 12 months ago. While they got off to a terrible start last year, this time three wins have put them in mid-table and there looks to be no danger of a battle to avoid the drop. Steve Diamond's side have lost their last two league matches but did win at Harlequins last weekend in the LV= Cup.

It has been a season to forget so far for the Warriors who are facing the prospect of relegation from the top flight. Worcester have lost all seven of their Premiership games this campaign and their only win came a couple of weeks ago at Cardiff Blues in the LV= Cup. Their domestic away form is also dire having won just once in the Premiership since April 2009.

Sale have to start this contest as overwhelming favourites against their beleaguered opponents. The Sharks claimed a 29-15 victory over Worcester last month at Sixways in the Amlin Challenge Cup and will be expecting a similar result this weekend. The last six league clashes between the sides have been won by the home side and this trend should continue with a comfortable victory for the Sharks.

Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons
Saturday, 15.15
Live on BT Sport 1

Northampton Saints are absolutely flying at the moment and will fancy their chances of beating any side put in front of them. Jim Mallinder's team have won their last five matches including a comprehensive 41-20 victory over title rivals Saracens. The Saints are currently second in the table and looking well-placed to surpass their Premiership final defeat last season.

Newcastle Falcons have made an encouraging start to the season with three league wins taking them into ninth spot. The target, following promotion, is to remain in the top flight and Dean Richards' side already look well on their way to achieving this. But the Falcons have been on the end of thumping defeats at Leicester and Sarries this season which does not bode well for their upcoming test.

The Saints have been hugely impressive in the opening ten weeks of the campaign and it is nigh on impossible to make a case for them slipping up this weekend. The Falcons did win at Franklin's Gardens in 2009 but the last six matches have all resulted in victories for Northampton. The last two have been won by 18 points or more so backing another hefty margin of victory is the best bet.

London Wasps v Bath
Sunday, 14.00
Live on BT Sport 1

Wasps have struggled to find their fluency and reproduce the form which took them into the top half of the table during last season. Dai Young's side have lost a lot of close matches this year with four defeats by four points or fewer. The high point came in a home win over Leicester Tigers last month but the team come into the contest off the back of successive LV= Cup defeats.

The signs are looking promising for Bath and they could be finally ready to deliver after years of under-achievement. The side have won their last six games in all competitions and their league form has pushed them into third, after five victories from their opening seven Premiership matches. Bath have also won three away matches in a row. If they manage another on Sunday, it will be their best run for seven years.

Current form would point towards the visitors but betting is not always that simple. The last four meetings between the teams have been won by the home side and Bath have a poor record at Adams Park. It is five years since they triumphed in Wycombe, at a ground where they have just one win since 2005. Wasps will be well aware of this and the dangerous hosts can halt Bath's winning run at an appealing price.

Recommended Bet
Back Wasps to win at 2.47/5

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