Premiership and United Rugby Championship predictions: Sarries hold the edge

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's matches in the Premiership and United Rugby Championship.

Where to watch

Harlequins v Saracens
BT Sport 3, 3pm Saturday

United Rugby Championship
Premier Sport, Saturday

Best bets

Saracens to win by one to 12 points 3pm Saturday
1pt 8-5 Betfred

Cardiff -1 v Munster 3.05pm Saturday
1pt 10-11Betfred

Saturday's betting preview

Saracens kick off their season at a Harlequins side who already have a victory under their belts, but the visitors have had the better of this London rivalry in recent years and can claim victory at the Twickenham Stoop.

It was a case of new season, same old Quins last week as Harlequins ran in six tries but shipped five in a 40-31 win at Newcastle.

This is a sterner test and the hosts will again be without international half-back pair Danny Care, who is injured, and Marcus Smith, who is still rested following England's summer tour.

Sarries are able to field Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola, while Jamie George and Mako Vunipola are among the forward replacements who can keep up the physical pressure on Quins for 80 minutes.

There are plenty of dangerous players in the Quins backline - England's Joe Marchant returns to the back three along with Tyrone Green and Cadan Murley, while centre Lennox Anyanwu capped an impressive debut last week with a try.

Quins' ability to score tries can always keep them in games - eight of their nine defeats last season were by a margin of one to 12 points - but Sarries look to have the edge and can claim a narrow win.

The game of the day in the United Rugby Championship looks to be the showdown between Cardiff and Munster (3.05pm, Premier Sports & BBC Wales).

Malakai Fekitoa is given his first Munster start by new coach Graham Rowntree but most of the Irish outfit's international cadre are missing.

In comparison, summer signings Taulupe Faletau and Liam Williams start in a strong Cardiff line-up and the hosts could be worth backing as they look to improve on last season's poor showing.

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