Harlequins v Northampton Saints Prediction, Tips and Bet Builder

The last round of Gallagher Prem fixtures take place on Saturday and Harlequins host Northampton Saints in a game that means very different things to each team.

The Quins are down in ninth and have work to do if they are to secure a top-eight spot, which would be enough for a Champions Cup place for next season.

Quins are likely to need a win to have any chance of climbing above Gloucester or Sale. The Quarters will finish eighth if they better Gloucester's result, but while Quins take on league leaders Northampton, Gloucester face rock-bottom Newcastle Red Bulls.

The hosts may also finish above seventh-place Sale if they pick up a bonus-point win and the Sharks lose by more than seven points to Bristol Bears.

There are a lot of permutations on the final day for Quins, but Northampton's situation is simple. They have already secured top spot in the Gallagher Prem and have decided to rest players ahead of next week's semi-finals.

Harlequins v Northampton Saints Tips Summary

Best Bet - Harlequins -6.5 @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - To win both halves - Neither team @ 4/6
Bet Builder - Cadan Murley to score a try, Cassius Cleaves to score a try, Highest scoring half - Second half @ 7/1

Harlequins v Northampton Saints Prediction

Best Bet: Harlequins -6.5 @ 4/5

Quins have had a year to forget, but Saturday's game gives them plenty of motivation to end the campaign on a high.

Despite winning just five of their 17 league fixtures, the hosts have a chance to fight for a Challenge Cup spot and they are playing a team that have started planning for the play-offs.

Northampton have made 13 changes to the team that beat Gloucester 36-32 last week and that should give the hosts every chance of securing the win.

Harlequins lost 26-12 to Saracens last week but they had beaten Exeter Chiefs 41-24 and Newcastle Red Bulls 76-17 before that.

While they have lost three in five at home, two of those defeats were by fewer than 10 points and they should be able to overpower Northampton's second string.

Alternative Bet: To win both halves - Neither team @ 4/6

Harlequins will certainly feel the weekend's tie is a perfect opportunity to return to winning ways, but they may not be able to burst out of the blocks.

Northampton's fringe players will be chomping at the bit to make an impression ahead of the play-offs, and will be confident of keeping the scoreline close in the first half.

Harlequins' best spell in the match is likely to come in the second half when Northampton's backup players tire, but they should struggle to dominate both halves considering their form across the campaign.

Harlequins v Northampton Saints Bet Builder Tip

• Cadan Murley to score a try

• Cassius Cleaves to score a try

• Highest scoring half - Second half
  

  Pays 7/1

With a close first half expected, it is highly likely we witness more points scored in the second half.

Quins know they need to finish strong and their players could certainly raise their game if they get wind that news from elsewhere in the division is positive.

Two players who should impress for Harlequins are Cadan Murley and Cassius Cleaves. Murley has scored eight tries this season and two of those have come in his last four outings.

With weaker opposition in front of him, he should be able to punish the visitors.

Cleaves may only have five tries to his name, but he has loved playing against Northampton this season. Three of his efforts have come against the Saints, and against their second-string, he can enjoy another good day at the office.

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Key Match Stats

• Harlequins have only won five of their 17 Prem games this season

• Northampton Saints have won back-to-back matches in the league, scoring 130 points in the process

• The Saints have won seven of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions

• Quins ace Marcus Smith has scored 117 points this season (4th in the league)

• Northampton have scored 99 tries this season, the most in the Prem

• The Saints have the Prem's best tackling statistics with an 84.0% success rate in the latest round (1st) and 78.6% for the season (1st)

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.