Harlequins vs Sale Sharks Prediction: Quins up against it on home soil

The Gallagher Premiership returns on Friday night, and there's a cracking game on the cards as Harlequins prepare to host Sale Sharks at the Twickenham Stoop.

Sale have set the standard so far this season, winning six of their seven matches under director of rugby Alex Sanderson.

Harlequins are only six points behind them, though, after four wins from their seven games, and they will hope to make home advantage count this week.

Team news

Quins' director of rugby, Billy Millard, will be boosted by the return of experienced trio Joe Marlier, Will Collier, and Joe Launchbury on Friday.

Chandler Cunningham-South is set to make his first start in the back-row, while Marler and Collier will join hooker Sam Riley in the front row. Launchbury will form a new second-row partnership with Dino Lamb, meaning Cunningham-South has been named at openside flanker.

In the backs, Danny Care and Marcus Smith will direct Quins around the park as they look to return to winning ways.

Sanderson makes an enforced change for Sale as Simon McIntyre takes over from the injured Bevan Rodd at loosehead prop. Raffi Quirke has also returned from a broken jaw to feature on the bench.

Apart from that, it's as you were for the Sharks, with scrum-half Gus Warr partnered with fly-half George Ford.

Match Odds

Harlequins are 8/15 to pick up the victory on home soil, while the tie is priced at 20/1, with Sale considered 13/8 outsiders.

In the three-way handicap market, Harlequins are evens to cover the -5 line, while Sale are 5/6. Those who fancy a tie in this market can back it at 20/1.

Harlequins will hope to pounce early due to their home advantage, and they are 8/11 to win the first half.

Sale Sharks +5 handicap @ 5/6

Friday's trip to the Twickenham Stoop will not unsettle the travelling Sale Sharks, who are looking for their fourth successive win on the Quins' patch.

Sanderson's team have set the standard this season and deserve to be top of the league, and they have recently beaten Bath, Newcastle Falcons, Bristol and Gloucester.

The Quins were outclassed by Saracens two weeks ago in a 38-10 defeat, but they only narrowly lost to the Northampton Saints last time out, going down 36-33.

With Friday's game at Harlequins' home, they will have the advantage, but it is tough to see them winning by more than five points.

Sale Draw No Bet @ 7/5

A chance should be taken on Sale in the Draw No Bet market too, especially considering Sale's form.

Sale have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the two sides, and it promises to be an entertaining encounter on Friday.

Two of England's fly-halves will go head-to-head for their respective teams, with Ford and Smith trying to prove they can replace Owen Farrell, who plans to take a break from international rugby in 2024.

Ford has got his team ticking along nicely, and it would not be a shock to see Sale come out on top.

Check out the rest of our Rugby Union Betting Tips here.