Premiership Rugby Odds: Play-off permutations ahead of final weekend

Saturday sees the concluding round of English Premiership fixtures, with seven sides still in the running to fill the top four places in the final standings. 

While Northampton and Saracens have confirmed their play-off spots, Saints will be keen to finish top, while Saracens will also want that status as they aim to secure a home semi-final.

The fight for the third and fourth spots is intense, with Bath and Sale Sharks currently holding those positions. However, Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins, and Bristol Bears are not far behind, keeping the competition fierce.

Leicester Tigers, Gloucester Rugby and Newcastle Falcons are unable to finish in the top four. The Tigers' 31-22 defeat ended their chances but as things stand, they will take the final qualification place for next season's Champions Cup.

They could also derail Exeter's hopes, although Gloucester, who face the Falcons on the final day and have some making up to do to their fans after losing 90-0 at Northampton last Saturday, could still take it by beating Sharks in the final of the Challenge Cup on 24th May.

Premiership standings

Position	Team	Matches played	Matches won	Points Difference	Points
1	Northampton Saints	17	12	+133	60
2	Saracens	17	11	+145	56
3	Bath	17	10	+67	55
4	Sale	17	11	+16	52
5	Exeter Chiefs	17	10	+93	50
6	Harlequins	17	9	-9	50
7	Bristol	17	10	+119	49

If two or more teams are tied on points, they will first be separated by the number of games won. The side with the most wins will finish higher if that situation arises.

Should any teams be level by that metric, it will come down to which club has the superior points difference.

Premiership final day fixtures

Bath v Northampton
Gloucester v Newcastle
Harlequins v Bristol
Leicester v Exeter
Saracens v Sale

* All games to be played at 15:05 on Saturday 18th May

Play-off permutations for each team

Northampton Saints

Saints' magnificent win over Gloucester clinched a home play-off. They are 11/8 joint-favourites to win the Grand Final and need two points from their trip to Bath to guarantee top spot in the regular season standings.

Saracens

Saturday's 41-20 win at Bristol, combined with results elsewhere, ensured champions Saracens will feature in the play-offs.

A victory over Sale is the simplest way for them to confirm a home play-off, although a draw would be enough if Bath fail to beat Northampton. 

Sarries, also 11/8 to retain the title, could also lose and still play at home in the semi-finals, if they are defeated by three or fewer points by the Sharks and Bath also lose.

Bath

Bath, 4/1 to finish as Grand Final winners, need a point at home against Northampton to qualify for the play-offs and as above, a win could earn them a home tie, depending on whether Saracens win or not.

Sale Sharks

A win at Saracens would secure Sale's place in the play-offs and they are 22/1 to go all the way for the first time since 2006.

The Sharks, last season's beaten Grand Finalists, can still secure a home semi-final by winning at the StoneX, depriving Sarries of a bonus point and Bath losing without securing two bonus points.

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter need to secure a bonus point victory at Leicester to take them on to 55 points and prolong their 25/1 hopes of a third English title.

They will also need Bath to lose at home without collecting any bonus points or Sale to fail to win at Saracens.

Harlequins

The game of the final round could be at Twickenham Stoop, where Harlequins host Bristol.

Quins lost 58-26 at Exeter and now need a bonus point win, Sale to lose and the Chiefs to fail to win.

Bristol

As above, the Bears' defeat to Saracens has left them needing a bonus point victory and requiring help from elsewhere.