Bath vs Harlequins Prediction: Quins won’t enjoy Bath time
Expect more end-to-end running rugby when Premiership pacesetters Bath host Harlequins in what should be a mouthwatering contest at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (15:05, TNT Sports 1).
Bath head the standings after winning 10 of their opening 12 Premiership games, a run that has seen them open up a 15-point gap on their opponents this weekend. Below you can find my Bath vs Harlequins predictions.
Bath are favourites at 2/9 to claim the victory at The Rec, while Quins are 18/5 to head back to the capital with the points in the bag.
A draw is available at 25/1, while Bath to win both halves can be backed at 1/1.
Team News
Starting with the hosts, Bath have opted to go with Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Will Stuart in the front row, with Ross Molony and Charlie Ewels in the second row.
Ted Hill, Alfie Barbeary and Miles Reid complete the pack, while skipper Ben Spencer and Finn Russell are reunited in the half-backs.
Cameron Redpath joins Max Ojomoh in the centre, with Will Muir, Tom de Glanville and Joe Cokanasiga in the back three.
As for Harlequins, Fin Baxter, Jack Walker and Titi Lamositele start in the front row, with Irne Herbst and skipper Stephan Lewies in the engine room.
Jack Kenningham, Tom Lawday and Chandler Cunningham-South back up the back row, with Will Porter and Marcus Smith combining in the half-backs.
Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard start in the centres, while the back three is Nick David, Rodrigo Isgro and Tyrone Green.
Bath -14 handicap @ 21/20
Looking at the team sheets, this match does have the makings of an entertaining contest, especially with British & Irish Lions summer tourist hopefuls Russell and Smith going head-to-head in a battle of the 10s.
Two of the most attacking fly-halves in the northern hemisphere, Russell and Smith are likely to put on a show in a game Lions head coach Andy Farrell will have an eye on ahead of the summer tour of Australia.
Winning 10 of their first 12 games of the Premiership campaign, last year’s runners-up Bath have been the standout team this season and will take some stopping to be denied a return to Twickenham.
Coming out on top in three of their last four home games against Quins in all competitions, Bath have a decent record in this fixture on their own patch.
England prop Stuart is another player in the picture for the Lions and his return will give this Bath pack and the scrum a massive boost.
Russell in the backline with Scotland team-mate Redpath will challenge the Quins defence, while Muir, De Glanville and Cokanasiga can wreak havoc in open space.
Winning nine of their last 10 home matches in all competitions this season, The Rec has been a fortress for Bath, who look capable of overcoming the -14 handicap on offer, especially as the West Country outfit have scored an average of 36.6 points per game this season.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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