By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Christmas is less than a week away, so we are treated to some great rugby matchups in the Gallagher Premiership.
Under the Friday night lights, Gloucester will welcome Harlequins to Kingsholm for a highly anticipated clash that will undoubtedly produce fireworks in Gloucestershire.
Both sides are a joy to watch and play an expansive style of rugby that is easy on the eye. It will be interesting to see how the contest plays out, as the two teams will fancy their chances for a victory.
There are also a few interesting betting options to mull over for the game.
Gloucester
The difference between Gloucester’s season and the one prior has been night and day. The club has brought in fantastic personnel who have impacted performances on the pitch in a positive way.
They currently sit fifth in the standings and will have play-off ambitions for the end of the season. Gloucester’s attack has been firing on all cylinders lately.
The team truly knows how to put points on the board, as shown by their 30 tries and 215 points. A key strength for the side is their set-piece stability, which allows a strong foundation for them to build from.
Their attacking efficiency has made them stand out this year, as you feel they can score in the blink of an eye.
When it comes to the quality Gloucester has to choose from, it is an embarrassment of riches. A player who is making his mark is Freddie Thomas.
The Welsh international is a dynamic forward who is crucial to the set-piece and effective around the park.
Christian Wade is an electrifying competitor, and you can’t take your eyes off him whenever he steps on a rugby pitch.
Gareth Anscombe brings a wealth of experience and skill, which has been vital to Gloucester’s improved form.
The good news for Gloucester fans is that Tomos Williams will return to the field after sustaining an injury on international duty.
The scrum-half is a box office attraction and is a creative spark who can set the backline alight. Gloucester will want to head into Christmas with a win against a dangerous Harlequins side.
Harlequins
At their best, Harlequins can beat any team in club rugby. They will be looking to climb up the table in the coming weeks, as they currently sit seventh in the competition.
Harlequins will look to build momentum after a great win against the DHL Stormers. It’s not as if they’re playing poorly as a team, as they have scored 169 points and crossed the try line 23 times.
Their kicking game has been impressive, with a success rate of 83%. Harlequins must be at the top of the list when thinking about teams with great creative flair in the competition.
They will look to take advantage of an inconsistent Gloucester defence and secure a fantastic win away from home.
As always, Marcus Smith will be vital to how the team performs, as he is a game-changer with the vision to create potent attacks.
Alex Dombrandt is essential as he leads the team and is a dynamic ball carrier who is a rock in defence.
Tyrone Green is a dangerous threat from the full-back position, as he can launch a counter-attack when he gets his hands on the ball.
The bench is strong for Harlequins, with seasoned operators such as Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, and Danny Care ready to make an impact.
Harlequins are a great side and could be optimistic about securing a victory in Gloucester.
The Bets
There are a few interesting betting options to consider for the game. The best bet looks to be that Gloucester will win.
The fact that they will be playing in front of a home crowd and have Williams back makes you think the hosts will secure a victory.
There is value in looking at the handicaps, which are a way to level the playing field in a match. If you bet on Gloucester with a handicap of -3, you would get a decent return if Gloucester win by more than three points.
They could comfortably amass a victory in front of their home crowd. For those who like a longshot, going in the opposite direction could be appealing, as you would get a substantial return if Harlequins win by more than three points.
Best Bet: Gloucester to win – 8/13
Value Bet: Gloucester to win by more than three points – 10/11
Longshot Bet: Harlequins to win by more than three points – 2/1
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