Saturday's Premiership predictions and rugby union tips: Quins attack too strong

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Gallagher Premiership games.

Harlequins v Bath

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 2pm Saturday

Best bet

Harlequins -12
1pt Evs bet365

Match preview

Harlequins' winning run came to an end against a fired-up Leicester side last time out but they can bounce back against a Bath side struggling for wins.

First up these are two of the leakier defences in the Premiership.

Bath have shipped the most points with tally of 536 against, and the joint-most tries with 72. Harlequins aren't far behind having shipped 62 tries and their record of 460 points against is more than 100 more than any other top-four side.

But where hosts Quins hold the edge is in attack and their high-paced game, marshalled by fly-half Marcus Smith who is in outstanding form right now, has seen them garner 32 tries in their last six games.

They bagged two bonus points in a 35-29 defeat at Leicester in their most recent outing.

Bath's defeat to Sale in round 19 was their fourth in five matches - the one win came at home to Leicester thanks to a late fightback from 17-7 down to secure a 21-20 success.

There's no great pressure on Quins as there's an 11-point gulf between them and fifth-placed Northampton. But they have the look of a team who enjoy playing with width and flair and should create plenty of opportunities against a Bath side who have given up space and points too easily.

Northampton v Wasps

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 4.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Wasps +6
2pts Evs bet365

Match preview

Northampton's playoff hopes have been pretty much dashed by surprise back-to-back defeats to bottom-three sides Gloucester and Newcastle, and they could be pushed hard by visitors Wasps.

Those unexpected slips from the Saints after they had won three in a row highlighted a lack of consistency, not helped by cancelled matches in the first half of the season.

And it's been a similar story for Wasps, whose results simply haven't done justice to the talent in their squad.

But there are signs of progress and with the scoring edge they have, Wasps could give a good account of themselves against a dispirited Saints side.

Wasps have won just six of 15 Premiership games this season, but five of their defeats have been by nine points or fewer, and they have won two of their last three.

The one defeat was at Harlequins, where they scored six tries and were leading with the clock in the red before Quins fly-half Marcus Smith bagged a dramatic winning try.

Wasps struggled to see off bottom side Worcester in the last round but were down to 14 men for the last quarter of the match and this is a chance to show their attacking edge.

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