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Guscott's predictions

Jeremy Guscott
By Jeremy Guscott
BBC Sport rugby union expert

(All fixtures are to be played on 18-20 September)

FRIDAY

Sale v Bath

Sale v Bath

Bath had enough opportunities to win against Wasps last time (they lost 17-15) and those were bad points to lose at home.

They've not had the best start to the season and they're not going to the easiest place to win - Leicester have already been to Sale and lost.

606: DEBATE

I'm struggling to move away from my belief about home teams winning most games this season - there's so much advantage to being at home.

Sale are playing a very restrictive game with lots of kicking, so Bath will have to recapture their early-season form of last year to get anything from this game.

Verdict: Sale by at least five points.


SATURDAY

Gloucester v Northampton

Gloucester v Northampton

Gloucester played very well against Bath but got spanked (40-10) by London Irish last time, while Northampton were robbed against Saracens (losing 19-16) by a strange decision by the television match official that everyone else thought was a try.

Saints have started slowly in both games so far, and if they do the same against Gloucester, they won't come back - they'll be buried. I think Nicky Robinson will find his form again, and with strong home support, Gloucester will win.

In Shane Geraghty, Northampton have a great attacking player. He usually plays at inside centre and his game management needs working on, but the more time he starts at number 10, the more experience he will get.

I think Jonny Wilkinson will get the nod at 10 for England in the autumn Tests, but Geraghty has a chance and I hope he pushes for an England spot.

Verdict: Gloucester by at least seven points.


Harlequins v Saracens

Harlequins v Saracens

Harlequins are still looking for their first win - they will come good but it's just a matter of when they start.

They're capable of winning every match but they're just not taking advantage of situations yet. Dean Richards may have gone but they've got to think they're still a good side - the personnel has hardly changed, so they've got to let themselves go.

Saracens are not an overly attractive side to watch at the moment. Coach Brendan Venter has looked at what South Africa are doing, which is fairly straightforward - kicking for position, applying pressure and capitalising on mistakes - and made it work for his side.

I like the look of Noah Cato, though. A lot of wingers these days lack the all-round package - some are quick but can't catch the ball, some are fast but can't defend. Few have the full footballing package, but I think if Cato goes looking for the ball, he could make a big impression.

Verdict: Saracens by at least three points.


Leicester v Newcastle

Leicester v Newcastle

Leicester will break their own Premiership attendance record at Welford Road with the opening of the new stand, and I think the crowd of 24,000 will be royally entertained.

The Tigers got a big wake-up call against Sale, and they ground out a win over Harlequins last time.

They certainly won't have to grind out the win this weekend. It's time to get the shackles off against a team who are likely to struggle this season.

Verdict: Leicester by at least 20 points.


SUNDAY

Leeds v London Irish

Leeds v London Irish

I hope for the sake of the competition that Leeds can win a few games this season, but it doesn't get any easier for the promoted side.

They started off OK against Newcastle, which was a decent introductory game, but then they had their eyes opened by Worcester, who still aren't one of the best.

But this weekend they really are meeting one of the best sides, and even though Irish will be without Delon Armitage, I still think Leeds will find it tough.

Irish have got too much experience at this level, and they'll know that if they want to challenge for the title, they can't afford to slip up in games like this, which they should win.

Verdict: Irish by at least 15 points.


Wasps v Worcester

Wasps v Worcester

Table-topping Wasps are on a roll at the moment - Danny Cipriani is showing glimpses of his old form, Tom Varndell is scoring tries for fun and scrum-half Joe Simpson is the talk of the town after his performance against Bath.

Worcester can be a bogey team, though, and I think they'll go away from home and upset a team at some stage this season - but not this early.

Wasps might have found their mojo which was missing for at least a season in their attacking flair, and I don't expect them to lose at home to Worcester.

Warriors won't give up easily and it could be a titanic struggle but I expect Wasps will ease home in the later stages.

Verdict: Wasps by at least 10 points.

Jeremy Guscott was talking to BBC Sport's Julian Shea



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see also
Worcester 27-7 Leeds
11 Sep 09 |  English
Bath 15-17 Wasps
12 Sep 09 |  English
Harlequins 9-15 Leicester
13 Sep 09 |  English
Saracens 19-16 Northampton
12 Sep 09 |  English
London Irish 40-10 Gloucester
13 Sep 09 |  English
Newcastle 16-16 Sale
13 Sep 09 |  English
Guscott's predictions
13 Sep 09 |  English
Jeremy Guscott column
07 Sep 09 |  English
Guinness Premiership Ins and Outs
25 Aug 09 |  English
Guinness Premiership fixtures
09 Aug 06 |  Fixtures


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