Harlequins vs Saracens predictions: Steely Sarries to seal Stoop success

Starting round six as leaders, Harlequins will be out to maintain their place atop the Premiership ladder and host the side most accustomed to occupying that spot, Saracens, on Saturday.

Sarries lost their opening two league matches, but have won three on the bounce since, defeating Gloucester 24-3 before celebrating their big guns returning from the World Cup by beating Leicester 32-17 and then rotating as their second-string ran riot in last Sunday’s 50-12 win at Newcastle.

Owen Farrell and co will be back on the scene at The Stoop and his battle with England colleague Marcus Smith could be electric.

However, while the hosts beat their rivals 36-29 in October’s Premiership Rugby Cup clash, Sarries have won the last six Premiership meetings and could squeeze out another victory.

Match Odds

Despite home advantage, Quins are the 11/8 underdogs, with Saracens 8/13 and the tie 20/1.

The Handicap 3-Way is set at -4 in Saracens’ favour, with them 10/11 in that bracket, while Louis Lynagh could be a player to watch, having crossed in the pair’s last two meetings in all competitions.

Team News

Quins make two changes, with Jack Walker replacing Sam Riley at hooker, while World Cup winner Andre Esterhuizen comes in for his first start of the season at 12.

Prop Joe Marler makes his 200th Premiership appearance, with Alex Dombradt skippering the side from number eight.

Saracens have gone big with their selection. Alex Goode reverts to full-back to accommodate captain Farrell’s return at number 10, with the captain making his 150th Premiership appearance. Elliot Daly switches to the left wing.

In the forwards, British & Irish Lions trio Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Maro Itoje form part of a front five alongside Marco Riccioni and former Quins lock Hugh Tizard, while Juan Martin Gonzalez continues at blindside flanker after excelling on his debut at Newcastle.

Winning Margin – Saracens by 1-12 points inclusive @ 19/10

Quins are getting better, but Saracens always seem to find an extra level and that has been evidenced in the pair’s recent history.

Sarries have won their last six Premiership meetings and will be looking to make a statement, with boss Mark McCall admitting that the raucous atmosphere could be “the kind of occasion that brings the best out of our group”.

Four of the last five league meetings have been settled by 12 or fewer points in Saturday’s visitors’ favour and they could just sneak it again.

Tyrone Green – Anytime Tryscorer @ SP

Quins’ winger Tyrone Green has become known for the spectacular, leaping on to Smith’s cross-kick to touch down against Newcastle before finishing off a fine team score against the Tigers.

The South African is adding scores to his work around the field and will be looking to cross the whitewash for the third week in a row.

While his team may come up short, it will not be from a lack of effort from their right wing and there is a feeling around the game that he is still being underestimated.