Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Tigers to show their claws in the capital

Leicester Tigers will look to add to Harlequins' recent woes in the Gallagher Prem when these sides face off on Saturday (15:05 GMT, TNT Sports 1) at the Twickenham Stoop.

Below are my Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the capital.

Team News

Quins go with a front row of Simon Kerrod, Jack Walker and Pedro Delgado, while Kieran Treadwell and Guido Petti Pagadizábal start in the second row.

Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham and Alex Dombrandt complete the pack, while Lucas Friday and Marcus Smith combine in the half-backs.

Quins go with a centre partnership of Bryn Bradley and Luke Northmore, while the Quarters have a back three of Cadan Murley, Nick David, and Tyrone Green.

As for Leicester, the visitors start with Nicky Smith, Charlie Clare and Joe Heyes in the front row, with locks Cameron Henderson and Ollie Chessum in the engine room.

Hanro Liebenberg returns to feature in a back row consisting of Tommy Reffell and Emeka Ilione.

Jack van Poortvliet and Billy Searle start in the half-backs, while Orlando Bailey and Will Wand combine in the centres.

Leicester's backline is completed with Ollie Hassell-Collins and Gabriel Hamer-Webb on the wings and Freddie Steward at full-back.

Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers Odds

Harlequins are the 8/11 to secure the win on Saturday, while Leicester are 11/10 to head back to the East Midlands with the victory. A draw at The Stoop is currently available at 22/1.

Leicester Tigers to win @ 20/21

Losing their last four games in the Gallagher Prem, Harlequins are languishing down in eighth place in the table with no real hope of reaching the play-offs this season.

There are plenty of rumblings over the management and the squad going forward, but for the moment, the focus is solely on a tough game against fifth-place Leicester.

The Tigers have won five of their last six games in the Gallagher Prem and particularly impressed in their last league game, as the East Midlands outfit secured a 36-28 victory at home to Saracens.

Returning back-rower Liebenberg is a significant boost for the Tigers, with the South African having last featured back in November.

His leadership and ability at the breakdown will help Leicester with much of the unseen work, which will allow their backs the chance to do some damage out wide.

Harlequins' defence has been a major cause for concern, with only rock-bottom Newcastle Red Bulls conceding more points in the Prem this season.

Conceding an average of 35.2 points per game makes it extremely tough to win games in the Prem, and it's hard to see Quins getting anything out of Saturday’s game.

Leicester should win the battle up front and, with an improving backline and threats from off the bench, the Tigers are backed to win and cover the handicap this weekend at The Stoop.

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