By MG
March 20 2019
Prior to the Gloucester game Harlequins were riding a five-match Premiership winning run and though sitting third behind Exeter and Saracens, Quins were in a strong position to secure a play-off place with just six games of the regular season to go.
But Quins play-off hopes were emphatically dented by the visitors to Twickenham Stoop as Gloucester ran riot on Sunday afternoon, picking up a bonus point as they won 29-7 following a dominant display. With victory, Gloucester moved to within two points of Harlequins to strengthen their own play-off hopes.
So how are Harlequins chances looking now?
While the manner of the defeat came as a nasty shock - Quins had been in fantastic form of late and had not lost at home since early October, while prior to the game Gloucester had not won away in 2019 - there should be no real need for panic.
Harlequins are nine points clear of fifth placed Sale Sharks meaning that play-off contention remains in their hands and given their good form until Sunday's defeat - which may yet prove to be a blip - Quins fans should be optimistic of their club playing in the final four come May.
Bookmakers feel the same way too. Quins are odds on at 1-2 with Betfred to finish in a play-off spot and there are a number of free bets & more to take advantage of should you want to have a punt.
Though perhaps owing to their relative remaining fixtures, Gloucester are even more fancied at 1-8 with the same 888sport. Sale are 11-4, whilst Bath are 5-1 outsiders with the same bookie.
Should they make it, bookies rate Harlequins chances of winning the Gallagher Premiership as far as 25-1 with William Hill, with Saracens odds-on favourites and Exeter fancied second.
Next up for Quins is a daunting trip to table-topping Saracens on Saturday, before a trip up North to Sale Sharks on the first weekend in April.
Were Quins to come away from both of those games with nothing then the away match at Sale might prove pivotal in the top four race, but as it stands at least, Harlequins have their play-off fate in their own hands.
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