Harlequins – Wasps

With two rounds to go in the Aviva Premiership regular season, Harlequins and Wasps will meet in what is a very important clash for both sides. Harlequins are trying to make a final push for a Champions Cup spot, while Wasps aim to finish the regular season on the first place.

Harlequins had a huge chance to get back into the Top 6 last round, when they hosted an Exeter Chiefs team which was playing without its best players, but Quins made fools out of themselves and lost by 13 points at home. Harlequins is now 7th and they will not get into the playoffs, but they need points to maintain the current position, which assures a Champions Cup playoff spot – or maybe move to the 6th place, which grands direct qualification.

Wasps are leading the league with 2 rounds left to go in the regular season and, while they are assured a spot in the playoffs, finishing first would be very important. A win today would virtually assure them the top spot and it would allow Wasps to avoid Exeter Chiefs and Saracens in the playoff semifinals. That would be a huge advantage, considering that the 4th placed team, probably Leicester Tigers, is clearly below the level of the “Big 3” this season.

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Team news: The two teams are expected to field their best available lineups in a very important match for both of them. There are also no new injuries to report.

Wasps had some tough games recently, as they had a difficult time balancing the Premiership and the Champions Cup, but they got back right on track last weekend, after the Champions Cup was no longer an issue (they got knocked out by Leinster). Wasps played some great rugby in a 15 point win at Bristol last round, and they could have easily won that by 25+ points.

The visitors have found themselves shocked that a number of their players were left out for the future England and British & Lions tours, despite the excellent record the club had this season. There were many voices blaming the selection and for good reason, so expect the Wasps players to be extra motivated today, in an attempt to prove they deserved to be called up.

Harlequins are fighting for their lives and they can be a strong outfit at home. However, the team hasn`t been good all season and looked horrible last round against Exeter. If they got humiliated by the 2nd placed Chiefs (who were without many key players), their chances don`t look good against the top placed team in the Aviva Premiership.

Quins were simply destroyed by Exeter on counters and this could well prove to be their doom today, as Wasps has the ability to develop arguably the best running rugby in England.

Wasps have every reason to push for a win here, from their quest to finish 1st, to the frustration of many top players not being included in the National teams this week. I can see a full strength Wasps team running circles around Harlequins just like a weakened Exeter Chiefs did last round, at the same ground.

Quins just don`t look good at the moment, they are not clicking together, while Wasps has shown incredible strength, consistency and quality throughout the entire season. A bet on the away win holds pretty good odds, so my tip is Wasps to win. Prediction: Harlequins – Wasps 25 – 33.

Pick: Wasps
Odds: 1.74 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.92
Event date: 28 April