Aviva Premiership Preview - Round 18

As the RBS Six Nations comes to an end and we approach the tail end of what has been yet another fantastic season of Aviva Premiership rugby, there is still plenty to play for at both the top and the bottom of the league table.

With the likes of Bath and Gloucester having two games in hand, they will have their eyes on securing their play-off places come the end of the season. Saracens' narrow victory over league leaders Leicester earlier this month means they trail top spot by just two points, while bottom club Leeds Carnegie will still believe they have what it takes to beat the drop with a late surge in form.

With that all mind, James Jones reviews this weekend's round of matches and makes his predictions on what is set to be another interesting weekend of Premiership rugby.

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Friday 25th March 2011

Sale Sharks v Leeds Carnegie - 7.45pm

Leeds have won just once in their last 20 meetings with Sale but they will have one eye on survival when they run out at Edgeley Park on Friday night. They will feel unlucky not have taken anything from their loss to Northampton in their last game, but will be able to take plenty of positives from their performance and, of course, their  27-19 victory over London Irish the weekend before.

With six straight losses in all competitions, Sale will see Friday's clash with basement club Leeds as the perfect opportunity to register a long-awaited win. Their last Premiership win came way back on the 2nd January, when they beat Saracens 28-22 at Edgeley Park. Their good record against Leeds will give them a much needed confidence boost, but they mustn't make the mistake of being too complacent against a capable Leeds side.

Prediciton - Away Win

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Saturday 26th March 2011

Harlequins v Gloucester Rugby - 2.15pm

Harlequins sit just four points off the play-off places and have the perfect chance to give themselves a shot at Premiership glory. Quins have not lost at home since November last year and, although they have lost their last three matches in all competitions,  they will be pumped up against a stong Gloucester side. They'll also be boosted by the return of England's Nick Easter and Danny Care as they return from Six Nations duty.

Gloucester's last competitive loss came against Leeds on New Year's Day and since then they have gone unbeaten in 11 matches. The new LV= Cup Champions are expected to make a few changes due to some players returning from injury and suspension, which should increase their hopes of establishing their place in the play-off places. Unbeaten in their last three meetings with Harlequins, Gloucester will be going all out to ensure they have what it takes to go the distance.

Prediction - Home Win

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London Irish v Exeter Chiefs - 3pm

These clubs have met just three times in the past with London Irish winning all three. They are unbeaten at home since New Year's Day and will see this game as the perfect opportunity to keep in the running for a play-off place. Once slip and they could risk missing out and a loss to Exeter will see their visitors climb above them in the league standings. They will be welcoming the return of Delon Armitage, David Paice and Alex Corbisiero who return from injury and international duty respectively.

Exeter also welcoming a trio of returns as James Hanks, Jason Shoemark and Matt Jess all return the starting line-up. On the back of their crushing 30-9 win over Northampton last time out, confidence is running high in the Cheifs' camp and it will be tempting for them to be thinking of a top six finish whilst they are in such form. A tough trip to London Irish stands in their way, though, but they'll be eager to register their third away win of the season.

Prediction - Home Win

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Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers - 4.30pm

Bath's home form against Leicester will give them the confidence to pull off their second victory over the current league leaders in the past two months. Their 26-12 LV= Cup win in February against their rivals halted an eight game winless run against the Tigers.  A play-off place will be in their sights and, with two games in hand on most of the other teams, they won't want to miss any chances to secure a shot at the title.

Title hopefuls Leicester will be seeking revenge for that LV= Cup defeat last month and will also be looking to put the disappointment of that narrow loss to Saracens last time out behind them.  They have not lost away from home since October last year but, although they can be sure of a play-off place, they will know that bouncing back from disappointment is something they must master if they are to lift the Aviva Premiership trophy in May. Marcos Ayerza and Alesana Tuilagi will be making their 100th appearances for the Tigers, but Louis Deacon will not play after returning from the Six Nations with an achilles problem.

Prediciton - Home Win

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Sunday 27th Match 2011

Northampton Saints v London Wasps - 1.45pm

Saints have not lost to Wasps at home since 2005 and, on the back of their 23-13 victory over Leeds last time out, will be hoping to make home advantage count once again when they host their London rivals on Sunday afternoon. They lost have their last three home games in the Premiership, however, but they'll be delighted to welcome back England's Six Nations try machine Chris Ashton along with Joe Ansbro, Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden and Tom Wood who are all returning from international duties.

Although Wasps sit in 8th place in the Premiership standings, they are just five points a drift from a play-off place. Their last outing saw them end a six match losing run in all competitions with a 33-26 win over Sale and they'll now have their eyes on putting an important run together in order to salvage something from what has been an inconsistent season for them.

Prediction - Away Win

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Saracens v Newcastle Falcons - 3pm

Saracen's have lost just once at home in the Premiership in 13 months and will see a Vicarage Road clash against Newcastle Falcons as the perfect opportunity to build on their tight victory over Leicester in the previous round. With an impressive streak of six consecutive wins in all competitions, Saracens are one of the form teams heading in to the tail end of the season. They have won their last four meetings with Newcastle and will be confident in putting another dent in their rival's disappointing season.

Falcons have won just once away to Saracens in 10 years, that coming in December 2007. Sitting seven points above bottom placed Leeds, Newcastle will be hoping to build on their last two Premiership wins against Leeds and Harlequins but, with the heartbreak of losing to Gloucester in last week's LV= Cup final still fresh in their memories, they'll also be looking to re-find the form that was beginning to put a positive light on their poor season.

Prediction - Home Win

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You can follow James on Twitter at @jj2388