Newcastle Falcons vs Harlequins Prediction: Quins to further Falcon woes

Friday Night’s Premiership action will see Tabai Matson’s Harlequins travelling to the North East to face the Newcastle Falcons, who have not won a league game in almost a year. 

The Quins ended 2023 on a high with a battling 32-26 victory over struggling Gloucester, putting an end to a two-game losing streak in all competitions. 

Meanwhile, Alex Codling’s Newcastle prop up the Premiership table, with 10 defeats from 10 in the first half of the season and just four points on the board. 

Harlequins have won each of their last six meetings with the Falcons, and this winning streak is expected to be extended when the two face each other on Friday. 

Team News 

Brett Connon will make his 100th appearance for the Falcons as he comes in for Rory Jennings, while George Wacokecoke and Jordan Holgate both come into the backline in place of Argentine pair Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni. 

There's a change at scrum-half with Hugh O'Sullivan being replaced by James Elliott, and there is also one alteration in the front-row, with hooker Bryan Byrne taking the place of Jamie Blamire. 

The Quins have also rung the changes for this meeting with Fin Baxter replacing the injured Joe Marler in the front row, while Irne Herbst, James Chisholm and George Hammond are also included. 

England internationals Danny Care and Marcus Smith also miss out with respective knocks, with Will Porter and Will Edwards taking over at scrum-half and fly-half. 

Match Odds 

The Falcons are 2/1 to register their first win of the season, while Harlequins are the 2/5 favourites. 

A rare draw can be backed at 22/1, with a Harlequins victory by more than a 12-point margin being given odds of 8/5. 

Harlequins to win by 1-12 points inclusive @ 7/4 

The Quins may be in the bottom half of the table, but they are only three points off first-place Northampton Saints. 

Their exciting attack has been a key factor in keeping within touching distance of the leading pack, with only Saracens and Exeter Chiefs scoring more points than Harlequins. 

Quins have won five of their eight games on the road this season, but only one of these victories was by a margin higher than four points. 

The Falcons have continued to struggle for form, with their last league win coming in March 2023, although they did start the season with four victories in the Rugby Cup. 

Newcastle have the unfortunate accolade of boasting the league's leakiest defence as well as the weakest attack, and have scored more than 20 points just twice in the Premiership all season. 

Comprehensively beaten 40-12 in the reverse fixture in November, Alex Codling's side are showing no signs of stopping this rut of losses any time soon. 

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