Aviva Premiership Preview - Rounds 10 & 11
This weekend sees three ties from rounds 10 and 11 being played. The likes are Gloucester, Bath and Newcastle all have two games in hand on the majority of teams in the Premiership and they'll be looking to use these games as the chance gain some valuable points leading in to the final few rounds of the season.
The pick of the bunch has to be Leeds' visit to Newcastle. A win for them will see them climb off the bottom of the table and dump their opponents into trouble late on in the season. However, a loss could all but ensure their relegation from the top-flight.
James Jones previews this weekend's ties and predicts the outcomes.
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Friday 8th April 2011
Sales Sharks v Gloucester Rugby - 7.45pm
This is the perfect opportunity for Sale to distance themselves further from the bottom of the table. However, they were hammered 53-24 away at Northampton last weekend and they have only one win in their last eight matches in all competitions and have recorded just two Premiership wins since October. They can take some confidence in the fact that they have not lost to Gloucester at home in the last seven meetings at Edgeley Park.
Gloucester's play-off bid is strengthening by the week and a win for them could all but secure them a place in the top four. Their impressive 34-9 win over Newcastle last weekend will be a further confidence boost to a side that has lost only once in all competitions since New Year's Day. A difficult run-in that includes ties with Leicester, Northampton and Saracens means Gloucester must win in order to make sure they're still in with a chance of Premiership glory.
Prediction: Away Win
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Saturday 9th April 2011
Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs - 2.30pm
With two games in hand, Bath can still make a late surge for a play-off place. However, a top-six finish will be more of a realistic target, especially after losing their last three Premiership matches. They were crushed by league leaders Leicester last weekend and will want to put that 37-6 loss behind them as soon as possible. Bath are aiming for double over Exeter this season after winning the return fixture 12-9 in February.
Mathematically, Exeter need just one point to secure their Premiership status. Their debut Premiership season has been an impressive one and dreams of a top-six finish aren't as distant as first thought, even after their disappointing 27-22 loss to Leeds last weekend. It wouldn't be much of a task if they hadn't have recorded just the one victory in their previous four Premiership outings.
Prediction: Away Win
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Newcastle Falcons v Leeds Carnegie - 3pm
Newcastle haven't been at the bottom of the Premiership since March 2003, but they will returnto the dreaded 12th position if they don't beat Leeds on Saturday. Just two points separate the sides and the outcome could dictate who gets relegated come the end of the season. Falcons have lost their last three Premiership games and will need to start picking up positive results to avoid a disastrous end to what has been an extremely disappointing season.
Leeds have lost all eight of their Premiership games on the road this season, but will see this as a golden opportunity to leap-frog Newcastle and get off the bottom of the standings so late on in the campaign. Their last away win came against London Irish a year ago, so they'll have more incentive to finally put things right on their travels.
Prediction: Home Win
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You can follow James on Twitter at @jj2388
