Harlequins v Northampton predictions and Big Game 13 tips: Quins held in check

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Harlequins v Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership on Monday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5pm Monday

Best bet

Northampton Saints +6
1pt Evs Betfred

Match preview

Harlequins won the biggest game there is in the Premiership the last time they stepped out at Twickenham but won’t find it easy to repeat that Grand Final success against Northampton.

The 13th edition of Quins’ annual festive fixture - the Big Game - will see them swap the more modest surrounds of the Stoop for English rugby’s HQ, site of their remarkable win over Exeter in June as they were crowned champions for only the second time in the professional era.

Harlequins stormed to the title, blitzing opponents along the way but a repeat of that success in the same manner is proving tricky with London Irish and leaders Leicester beating them in their last two Premiership outings.

Quins returned to winning ways in Europe by defeating Castres and Cardiff in the Champions Cup and have a good record in the Big Game, winning seven of the last eight renewals.

The only team to beat Harlequins in that time are Northampton in 2014. The Saints head back to Twickenham having won their last two league games before the European break, scoring 30-plus points in each, and performed with credit when losing to Ulster last time out.

Fly-half Dan Biggar missed that loss at Ravenhill but returns to face Harlequins and is part of a strong Northampton team which boasts a pair of dangerous wingers in Ollie Sleightholme and Courtnall Skosan, who have scored a combined nine tries in eight appearances.

Saints have plenty of experience on the bench to call upon too and they look a true test for a Quins team missing one of their key playmaker in the form of Marcus Smith.

Will Edwards takes Smith’s number ten shirt in his absence, while Joe Marler and Louis Lynagh are recalled to a Quins team showing five changes from the one that had issues putting away a makeshift Cardiff side last weekend.

That victory over the the Blues is the only one of Harlequins’ last five matches to be decided by more than three points and Saints should have the quality to keep their Smith-less hosts in check.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport