By Wellsaint
September 19 2003

Fresh from pawning most of his worldly goods, Wellsaint returns with his predictions for this weekend's games. It can't get any worse.... can it?... Well, that was an impressive start, wasn't it... NOT!! Onwards and upwards - this week, Come In Number 10 and I have been comparing notes and, as you would expect, there are some differences of opinion.

Please note this is an earlier than usual column and handicaps are not currently available,
so unfortunately I won't be able to recommend a staking plan for this weekend.

Onto the games.

SATURDAY

Bath v Saints - I'm hoping Saints by 3, but it will depend on injuries. Bath beating Leeds was something I wasn't expecting, and I think that this is another hard one to call. If injuries are a problem and the scrum looks severely weakened I would, reluctantly, reverse the advice to a narrow Bath win. I can't see this being
a walk in the park. Come In Number 10 thinks Bath may win by 7, as their pack will be too strong and we won't get enough of the ball.


Roth v Quins - Quins looked awesome against Wasps. Sounds like Roth were effective at their level. Quins tend not to be so good on the road, and this is one Roth really must win if they are to have any chance of avoiding a relegation dogfight. Provided they can reproduce their form away from home, and that is a big if - Quins by 6. Come In Number 10 predicts a Quins win by 7, but says it wouldn't be the biggest shock if Roth won (at a guess, I'd say probably for the reasons I've outlined above)

Irish v Glos - Irish gave Leic a fright on Sat, before the introduction of LTA - Glos were workmanlike rather than impressive in their win. Glos should win this, but not by a lot - say 8 points. Come In Number 10 predicts a Gloucester win by 7 points.


Wasps v Leeds - Wasps played well in defeat, and, provided that hasn't affected them too much, should manage to see off a Leeds side that lost at home to Bath and has injury worries in the scrum (sound familiar?!). Prediction: Wasps by ten. Come In Number 10 agrees on the margin, saying it could be bigger,as Wasps will be too
strong at home. With my brain in betting mode, I would be prepared to back Wasps at -14 - but no more.

Newcastle v Sale - Newcastle lost at home to a resurgent Sarries, Sale drew with us - Sale to edge this game by four. Come In Number 10
is more bullish and has Sale down to win by 15, commenting that they may well run in a few tries, especially as they are without a front line
kicker.

Saracens v Leic - Sarries won at Kingston Park, never an easy venue to get a result at; Leic made hard work of beating Irish at home. Leic never seem to perform well at Sarries, and I would take this to be a tight game, with the home side prevailing by three. Come In Number 10 feels that this will be a close game too, but takes Leicester to win by 5 points. I reckon it could be a "pick-em" game - i.e. no handicap, and it may be one of those occasions where you could back either side with a start.

As I mentioned earlier in the column, I am off to the delightful village of Eskdale Green for a week's relaxation, drinking, good food (and maybe
the odd walk....) Next week's column will be written by Come In Number 10.
Be gentle with him...

For those of you going to Bath, safe trip, and have an enjoyable day. And if anyone would like to text me some score updates, I'd be grateful!

Until the next time, COME ON YOU SAINTS!!

Look forward to seeing you all at the Wasps game.