Harlequins vs London Irish
10th January 1630hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick +11 Handicap
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January
Harlequins have been having some poor fortunes at the Twickenham Stoop, having lost their last five there.
Will they be able to turn around their home fortunes on the weekend when they face London Irish?
The Exiles have had their last two league games cancelled, so this will actually be their first game in the Premiership since December 6th 2020.
Table of Contents
Harlequins Preview – A chance for Quins to deliver
Harlequins have lost their last five home fixtures and so are really struggling with that home form.
But this should be a good chance for them to start setting things right there. Harlequins are the 1/5 odds on favourites for the victory* (odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January).
The last victory that Harlequins took was at Gloucester in round 3.
In their last league fixture, they suffered a loss at the Stoop against the Bristol Bears.
Just back in September last year, Harlequins claimed a 38-15 victory over the Exiles at the Stoop.
That was enough to snap a three-match losing run of form that they have been on against the London Irish in league action.
Given that Harlequins are facing an opponent who haven’t played since December in the league, they should be winning this.
A Harlequins -12 handicap is at 10/11 for the match* (odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January)
Harlequins did enough in their last home fixture against the Exiles to cover that margin.
Quins have lost their two home games played this season, but in retrospect, it’s hard to take a lot from that.
They were defeated against Exeter and Bristol Bears at The Stoop, who are the current top-two teams in the Premiership.
With a good average of 26 points per game in their four completed matches this season, Quins looks the right option.
London Irish Preview – Tough return for the Exiles
London Irish have had their last two Premiership games cancelled.
So the last league fixture they played was a home loss against Sale on December 6th.
There has been two European Challenge Cup fixtures that they have played since them.
The London Irish won both of those as well against Agen and Pau.
So back on the domestic front London Irish are W1 L4 in the Premiership, with their one success happening against Leicester Tigers.
Because of the lack of game time, it’s hard to really read where they are at.
They do look short of attacking threat however as they have tallied only three tries in their three completed fixtures.
In the match outright for rugby betting in this game, the London Irish are 7/2 underdogs* (odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January).
That’s a totally reasonable position for them to be coming back as.
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London Irish played their last five home games of the previous campaign at The Stoop.
That didn’t work out too well for them as they lost all five of those fixtures.
Returning for a look at last season’s campaign, London Irish won four times away from home only.
On the little evidence we have seen from them this season, they could have enough to scrap to keep it close at the break but little more.
Harlequins vs London Irish Betting Advice
We have to go with the home win in this one, which feels like a bit of a strange match considering the break that London Irish have had.
The Exiles have had the fair share of the recent head to head form. But they were struggling to score points in the top flight this season.
So we think they come up short but not by much.
A London Irish +11 handicap is well worth playing for in the fixture at 10/11*(odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January).
Key Facts – Harlequins vs London Irish Betting Tip
- Harlequins have lost their last three games in all competitions
- Harlequins have won one of their last four against the Exiles
- London Irish haven’t played in the league since December 6th
Harlequins are on a three-match losing streak in all competitions.
While they have an offensive edge over their opponents we don’t think it’s enough to push for them to cover a big handicap spread.
Harlequins to win by 1-10 points at 9/4* (odds taken 1800 GMT, Friday 8th January).
The best betting odds for Harlequins vs London Irish
Harlequins to win: 12/1 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
London Irish to win: 10/11 at Bet365
