Following a captivating Round 13 of the Premiership, characterized by stimulating matches and unforeseen outcomes, we are primed for another enthralling round of domestic rugby. Planet Rugby’s James While, in collaboration with esteemed TNT Sports pundit and former London Irish and England wing Topsy Ojo, provides a comprehensive preview of the forthcoming matches and offers valuable insights into what can be anticipated on the field.
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby, to present predictions from prominent personalities prior to each Premiership round for the remainder of the season. Additionally, we will also share our own prognostications for each game, monitoring our performance weekly in comparison to our distinguished guests.
Let us delve into Topsy Ojo’s preview of the weekend’s action and his predictions for the upcoming matches:
Newcastle Falcons vs. Leicester Tigers
According to Ojo, a visit to the Falcons’ den poses a formidable challenge, particularly when weather conditions are a factor. He underscores the significance of fundamental aspects such as set-piece prowess, kicking prowess, territorial dominance, and gainline strength. Despite the variance in star quality, Ojo acknowledges the Falcons’ continuity and teamwork as potential advantages in this contest. His prognostication? A hard-fought battle, with the Tigers edging ahead in the final quarter with a projected score of approximately 27-10.
Northampton Saints vs. Saracens
The impending clash between the Saints and Saracens is poised to be closely contested. Ojo highlights the importance of ruck tempo in the strategies of both teams and asserts that Saracens possess a crucial edge on their bench, boasting players of Test calibre and exceptional loose forwards who can alter the trajectory of the game. His forecast leans towards a narrow triumph for Saracens, with a scoreline of 23-21, setting the stage for a gripping match that is bound to go down to the wire.
Gloucester vs. Bristol Bears
Gloucester’s recent form has exhibited progress under the stewardship of George Skivington, with Ojo crediting their efficacy in red zone execution as a pivotal factor. Conversely, he observes that Bristol’s performance frequently hinges on their set-piece execution and the orchestration of their expansive passing game by Harry Randall. Ojo prognosticates an engrossing encounter, with Gloucester prevailing by a margin of 33-27.
Harlequins vs. Bath
With both teams vying for a top-four placement, the fixture between Harlequins and Bath presents a formidable challenge. Ojo underscores the significance of a strong start for Harlequins and highlights the contest between both pairs of half-backs and the kicking game as crucial elements to monitor. In a closely-fought contest, Ojo predicts a narrow victory for Harlequins, with a final score of 29-28.
Sale Sharks vs. Exeter Chiefs
The clash between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs is anticipated to be a physically demanding and confrontational encounter. Ojo opines that Sale’s aptitude for securing pivotal victories will play a pivotal role, particularly in the set-piece and gainline battle. He anticipates a hard-earned triumph for Sale by a margin of 24-15.
These perceptive predictions are presented by eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby. Join millions of UK investors on eToro and approach investing intelligently. It is important to note that the value of investments may fluctuate, and your capital is at risk.
In conclusion, Topsy Ojo’s astute analysis sets the stage for a captivating round of Premiership matches, and we eagerly await the unfolding of these predictions on the field.