Approaching the final leg of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership season, Robert Rees looks at each team’s remaining fixtures and how they’ll set up the league for the play-off race and relegation.
The last quarter of the 2019 schedule is playing out, with important fixtures lining up that will influence the final places. Knowing this, selecting Gallagher Premiership outcomes and predicting how these remaining fixtures might play out, Rob breaks down the remainder of the season for each team.
Exeter Chiefs
- Current points, 66 | 1st place (as of Round 16)
The table toppers-elect could fall just shy of the century of points. Only one loss is on the cards; that is likely away to Saracens. Critically, if no bonus points are taken from Wasps and Harlequins at home, this will leave them short of the ‘magic 100’ by a handful of points.
Saracens
- Current points, 58 | currently sit in 2nd place
The most points taken from the last six rounds will be via Saracens. Picking up 28 out of a possible 30 available, should will push them closer to Exeter, but not out of the second qualifier position.
The only points dropped could try bonuses against Harlequins at Twickenham, and Exeter at home. Mark McCall must manage his player’s workload, however, a focus on the Premiership table is essential to securing a home semifinal for the polished Saracens team in 2019.
Harlequins
- Current points, 48 | 3rd place
The last of the predicted play-off teams, but by a fair amount of points. The Stoop has proved valuable in gaining Gustard’s men key Gallagher Premiership points. It is looking like only Saracens (in less than two weeks time) and Exeter will stop them from winning all their remaining games.
2018/19 is a good year so far, for the ‘Quins, and it could get even better.
Gloucester
- Current points, 46 | 4th place
A huge bonus point win away to Harlequins suggests Gloucester are soon to hit the heights of their form. Form that may see them through to post-season duties. It is predicted that ‘Glaws enjoy an unbeaten run till the end of the season, and it isn’t impossible that they could well open up a streak, leading up to the play-offs.
Sale Sharks
- Current points, 39 | currently in 5th place
One win is left on the cards for the Sharks; away to Newcastle. Already safe, but they’ll lose their grip on their slim play-off hopes, following some tricky ties against Gloucester and the ‘high flying’ Harlequins.
Bath
- Current points, 39 | 6th place
Bath have some tough fixtures away from The Rec against Exeter and Gloucester, but on their current form, they should be able to finish strongly. Predicted wins over Bristol, Sale and Leicester might see them end 2019 well inside the top eight.
Northampton Saints
- Current points, 37 | 7th place
Saints have had mixed fortunes this season under new head coach Chris Boyd. And a fairly tough schedule to end the season will see them struggle for wins.
Only Worcester at home is predicted for a win. Bonus points along the way will ease the nerves, with the likelihood that they’ll stay up…..if the cards fall in their favour.
Wasps
- Current points, 37 | 8th place
Having to face all of the current top four will be a mammoth task for Dai Young and the Wasps side. If they retain focus, then wins over Bath and Worcester will see them claw up the table, leaving others to scrape their way towards the final rounds of the season.
Bristol Bears
- Current points, 35 | 9th place
Rob predicts a strong run home in the final leg of the season for the Bears. Possible wins over Worcester and Sale at Ashton Gate, and key victories over Leicester and Newcastle away.
They are showing signs of good form, but consistency will be key if Pat Lam wants to prove his team stays up in 2019/20.
Leicester Tigers
- Current points, 34 | 10th place
The Tigers have one of the worst form records in the league. Leaking points at Welford Road will make it a difficult and nervy run-in for the Tigers. Only one win may lie ahead of them, but Last Word on Rugby anticipate that by picking up bonus points elsewhere, will them home to just secure another season in the top flight.
Worcester Warriors
- Current points, 28 | currently in 11th place
Alan Solomons side has struggled to put full 40-minute performances together of late, and aren’t afraid to concede in the name of open rugby. Commendable but, it sees them languishing at the bottom of the table.
Will that fortune change by the time of knockout rugby? unfortunately, Not.
Only a win over a Sale is on the horizon, and while it gives them a glimmer of hope, in all likelihood it won’t be enough to keep the Warriors up in the Premiership next season.
Newcastle Falcons
- Current points, 25 | 12th place
A strong home schedule is possible, to help the Falcons in their hopes for survival. That is especially after beating Worcester just a week or so ago. Dean Richards (see above image) and co all took a deep breath of relief.
If outcomes go their way, then wins over Leicester and Northampton will yield them a large amount of points, to leap frog others and retain a place in the Gallagher Premiership.
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Gallagher Premiership Predicted table at 2018/19 season end
The above are Gallagher Premiership predictions, with Robert Rees anticipating many tightly fought fixtures that could alter places 5-10. However, the finalists would have to play some poor football, to relinquish such strong places currently.
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