Saracens vs Harlequins
The defending champions Harlequins take on the most successful English team in recent years. The internationally laden Saracens will be looking to take the title on their first year back in the Premiership after they were demoted for breaching the salary cap rules. They will fancy their chances of making the final as they have a full strength team for this semi-final contest. Harlequins shocked everybody last season by being crowned champions and will again need to cause an upset to beat Saracens. They certainly have the personnel to do it with Marcus Smith leading the way.
TIP: There will be several great match ups in this contest but Owen Farrell against Smith looks to be the highlight of them all. Smith has been the catalyst for most of Harlequins wins but has shown that under pressure he has made some crucial mistakes most notably when they lost to Montpellier in the Champions Cup. The team that will the forwards battle will win this match and Saracens have the edge in this department. The bookies have Saracens as favourites and I am also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.33, Playabets 1.35 and Sunbet 1.30
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Saracens vs Harlequins
- Saracens have won the last four matches between these teams.
- Saracens have won the last nine home matches against Harlequins.
Latest results for both teams
Saracens lost 54-7 to Gloucester in their last match while harlequins lost 47-38 to Exeter in their last match.
PREDICTION
The other battle that will be mouthwatering will be the contest between the midfield pairings as both teams have all internationals in the midfield. Andre Esterhuizen has been the player of the season and no doubt he will be a marked man. In these big matches Maro Itoje always stands out and if he has a big game then Saracens will win. There are many game breakers in the Quins team but Danny Care remains one of the best scrumhalves in England. The Saracens team will play a structured game while Quins will run the ball from anywhere so it should be an exciting affair. I predict Saracens to win by 12 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Saracens
15 Alex Goode, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Max Malins, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Aled Davies, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Harlequins
15 Huw Jones, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Will Evans, 6 Stephan Lewies (c), 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Will Collier, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Joe Marler
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Saracens victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.33
Playabets 1.35
Sunbet 1.30
Odds comparison on the Saracens handicap:
The complete odds on the Saracens handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.91
Sunbet (-7.5) 1.89
Playabets (-7.5) 1.81
Predictions and Odds in details
Forwards wins their team big matches therefore Saracens will be favourites going into the match. This however will count for nothing as Quins were underdogs in all the knockout matches yet they went on to lift the title last season. Harlequins need to speed up the game as this is their only chance to win this match. Saracens on the outright win offer poor odds therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.91, Sunbet (-7.5) 1.89 and Playabets (-7.5) 1.81
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
