Wasps vs Newcastle
5th December 1500hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Wasps -9 handicap
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 22:53 GMT, Thursday, 3rd December
What a reintroduction to the Premiership that the Newcastle Falcons have had. It has been two wins from two of them so far.
They beat some strong opposition as well in that burst of early-season form.
Will they be able to keep the momentum going on the weekend as they visit Wasps?
Wasps were runners up to Exeter in last season’s championship but they came unravelled surprisingly at Gloucester last weekend.
Table of Contents
Wasps Preview – Will Wasps win at the Ricoh?
Wasps opened their campaign with a narrow home success at the Ricoh against the Bristol Bears. That was a 3 point margin win that they took in that one.
But last weekend they paid a visit to Gloucester and Wasps were soundly beaten 40-24 by the Cherry & Whites in an upset.
So they will be looking to steady the ship.
Just to highlight how much of a shock loss that was against Gloucester, it was the first defeat for Wasps since back in August.
They have won eight of their last nine Premiership fixtures, so they can’t exactly be knocked.
Wasps are the 1/3 favourites in the match outright for the win* (odds taken 22:53 GMT, it Thursday, 3rd December).
The last time that these two sides met there was a real nailbiter.
Wasps fell by a single point in that clash with Newcastle at the Ricoh Arena in March 2019.
That saw a huge 11 match winning streak that Wasps had been on against Newcastle in the Premiership, snapped.
While they aren’t quite up and running yet, Wasps were a joy to watch last season.
Free in attack and just rampant up front. In last season’s campaign, they won seven of their eleven home matches at the Ricoh Arena.
Remarkably they scored at least 30 points in all but three of last season’s home league games.
In the handicap market for rugby betting on Saturday’s game a Wasps 8-14 winning margin is at 5/2* (odds taken 22:53 GMT, Thursday, 3rd December).
Newcastle Preview – Can the Falcons keep up their early form?
It has been fantastic stuff from the Falcons this season, picking up back to back wins over Bath and Sale.
Those were not easy games for the newly-promoted side to be taking on so early in the season.
But through grit and determination, they have gotten their spoils and are on the only side, besides Exeter, to have a 100% record for the season.
They are the first to earn promotion to the top flight and win their first two games of the season since Bristol pulled it off in 2005.
Will they be able to maintain that run?
Newcastle are 12/5 in the match outright* (odds taken 22:53 GMT, Thursday, 3rd December)
In two of their last three visits to the Ricoh Arena in all competitions, Newcastle have taken a win.
So they have a nice little record going there.
It has been five tries that they picked up so far in this campaign and impressively they have conceded only the one.
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Newcastle have averaged only 17 points per game so far in this campaign, which is the third-lowest of all teams after two rounds.
So they are relying on their defensive determination a fair bit. They are going to need plenty of that on Saturday against a Wasps team who can pile it on offensively.
In the last five head to head across all competitions, Newcastle are W2 L3 against the London Wasps.
Wasps vs Newcastle Betting Advice
This should on paper at least, be the sternest test for Newcastle yet this season. They are not going to get an easy game at the Ricoh.
So we do have to swing with a Wasps victory in this one, even though they were rattled against Gloucester last weekend.
They are much better than that, and they will probably want to prove that.
A Wasps -9 handicap option is at 10/11* (odds taken 22:53 GMT, Thursday, 3rd December).
Key Facts – Wasps vs Newcastle Betting Tip
- Wasps have won 8 of their last 9 Premiership games
- Wasps lost heavily at Gloucester last weekend
- Newcastle have won their first two league games in the top flight after promotion
We will back that up with another selection for rugby betting. That will be a Wasps 8-14 winning margin selection at 5/2* (odds taken 22:53 GMT, Thursday, 3rd December).
Wasps are just likely to be on their toes in this one after quite a setback last weekend.
They have won all but one of their last nine Premiership games and have to be backed.
The Falcons have done brilliantly on their return, their defence will get a stern examination at the Ricoh.
The best betting odds for Wasps vs Newcastle
Wasps to win: 1/3 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Newcastle to win: 12/5 at Bet365
