Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins
13th March 1230hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Harlequins +7 handicap
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: evens odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March
Exeter avoided falling to three straight league defeats with a victory over Bath last weekend.
That was enough to see them end the round of Premiership action in second place, trailing Bristol Bears by six points.
It is back to Sandy Park for them this weekend, where Exeter could face a tricky test against Harlequins.
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Exeter Chiefs Preview – Chiefs to hold off the challenge of Harlequins?
Exeter posted a 38-16 away win at Bath last weekend, which saw them skate off back to back losses against Northampton and Sale.
The one against Northampton, which happened by a one-point margin, was in Exeter’s last league fixture at Sandy Park.
The Chiefs are 4/11 odds-on favourites to bank the four points from this one* (odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March).
It is an overall W8 L4 record now that Exeter are on for the Premiership season.
Exeter have taken a W3 L2 record at Sandy Park this season only. That’s surprisingly down on what would have been expected of the reigning champions.
The defeats in that sequence happened against Northampton and Bristol.
All in all, it has tallied up to Exeter only being W4 L4 evenly in their last eight Premiership fixtures.
But there is some decent head to head form that they have going for them in the Premiership against Harlequins.
Exeter have lost only two of their last thirteen against them and both of those were away at the Twickenham Stoop.
Exeter are averaging 23 points per league game this season, and they have tallied at least 20 points in three of their last four fixtures.
They have also picked up a try-scoring bonus point in half of their twelve league matches this season.
Realistically they conceded at an average of 14 points per Premiership fixture.
An Exeter -7 handicap looks a very good fit for Saturday’s big clash and that is a quote of 10/11 for rugby betting* (odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March).
It is a six-match winning streak at home that Exeter Chiefs are on against Harlequins.
Harlequins Preview – Can Quins pose a threat at Sandy Park?
Harlequins arrive at Sandy Park on the weekend in some pretty handy form of their own.
Last weekend there was a victory for them at home against Northampton and that was their fourth win in their last five.
Actually, the only defeat that Harlequins have had a taste of in the last eight rounds of action in the premiership was back on February 20th against Newcastle.
Another interesting stat on their side is that they have not lost back to back away games in the top flight since August last year.
Can they pull off the underdog success in this fixture?
There is a quote of 11/5 on the away win in the match outright for Saturday’s game* (odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March).
Harlequins did actually win their last visit to Sandy Park which was in last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup.
But the last time that they got a league victory at the venue was back in 2014.
From their 11 fixtures played this season Harlequins have produced a fantastic return of W7 D1 L3.
So they are firmly in the race for a top-four finish without question.
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This could be a big game for them in that regard as any points taken from this match, one of the toughest of the season, are going to be bonuses.
So far on their league travels this season Harlequins are W 4 L1.
That’s been a positive return although this is their toughest away assignment for the campaign so far.
But the notable thing about what Harlequins have produced this season is their positive scoring output.
In each of their five away fixtures, they have scored at least 22 points.
It’s been an average of 36 points per away game that Quins have come up with.
They may very well ask a question or two of the hosts when they meet on Saturday.
Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins Betting Advice
This is an intriguing game because the visiting Harlequins have done very well in the attacking department this season.
They are the top-scoring side in this season’s Premiership and they only lost by a three-point margin when they hosted Exeter earlier this season.
So we think that they stay close at Sandy Park as Exeter haven’t been in top shape so a Quins +7 handicap may be worth playing for at even money for rugby betting* (odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March).
Key Facts – Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins Betting Tip
- Exeter Chiefs beat Quins by three points earlier this season
- Exeter Chiefs have lost 2 of their last thirteen league fixtures against Harlequins
- Harlequins have a positive W4 L1 record away from home in this season’s Premiership
But the head to head suggests that Exeter are going to be alright just about on home soil against Quins.
But we are going to dial back the margins and Chiefs 1-7 point winning margin is at 13/5 piquing some interest* (odds taken 20:30 GMT, Wednesday, 10th March).
This should be the game of the weekend and the attacking threat of the visitors could make it a tense afternoon for Exeter.
The best betting odds for Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins
Exeter Chiefs to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Harlequins to win: 11/5 at Bet365
