Sale and Harlequins sit in the bottom half of the Prem table after the opening two games, and this already looks like a key fixture for both sides.
The hosts have a win under their belt after an impressive victory over Saracens last time out, while Quins have lost both of their matches.
Those defeats, though, came against two of the top three teams in the Prem table, and the return of key players looks set to make Sunday's fixture a more competitive clash.
Sale Sharks v Harlequins Tips Summary
Best Bet: 1st half betting 2-Way: Sale Sharks -7.5 @ 5/6
Alternative Bet: Winning margin 1-12 points - Sale Sharks @ 11/5
Bet Builder: First scoring play - Sale Sharks Try, Lead at 20 minutes - Sale Sharks, Winning margin - Sale Sharks 1-12 points @ 6/1
Sale Sharks v Harlequins Prediction
Best Bet: 1st half betting 2-Way: Sale Sharks -7.5 @ 5/6
Last weekend's 48-0 defeat at Gloucester was Harlequins' worst league defeat in 26 years and there will have been little place to hide this week.
Quins have struggled to start fast in the opening two matches, with eight of the 13 tries they have conceded coming in the first 40 minutes.
In contrast, Sale have been in front in both of their opening two games - scoring a try after just six minutes against both Bristol and Saracens.
The Sharks also crossed the whitewash twice in the first six minutes of their last meeting with Quins, in a 52-33 victory at The Stoop back in April.
The hosts have made just one change from the team that won 21-17 at the StoneX Stadium last week, with Fijian back-row Elia Canakaivata starting his first Premiership game.
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson is also boosted by the news that Ben Curry returns to the squad, with the England flanker having missed the last 10 months.
The Sharks were criticised after an opening defeat to Bristol, but there is considerable optimism following their victory over Sarries, and a newly confident side can continue a habit of starting strongly.
Alternative Bet: Winning margin 1-12 points - Sale Sharks @ 11/5
It's no surprise to see Harlequins coach Jason Gilmore make seven changes to the side that lost heavily to leaders Gloucester.
The big news is that England star Marcus Smith will feature for the first time this term, having been sidelined by a finger injury.
Smith partners Will Porter in the halves, while Luke Northmore starts at outside centre, having not featured since early May.
South African winger Tyrone Green is another returning to the starting XV, with the visitors looking like a team with much more attacking threat.
The stronger look of the Quins squad suggests they will keep things close, as they seek a response for last week's embarrassment.
It's also worth noting that the London outfit have lost by 26 and one point on their last two trips to the North West.
Still, Sale should be too strong for a Quins side struggling for form and confidence.
Sale Sharks v Harlequins Bet Builder
First scoring play - Sale Sharks Try
Lead at 20 minutes - Sale Sharks
Winning margin - Sale Sharks 1-12 points
Pays 6/1
With Harlequins' recent slow starts and seven changes to their side, Sale will expect to get their noses in front early.
Two early tries in their opening two matches suggest the home team will start on the front foot on Sunday.
It's likely to take time for Quins' new-look line-up to gel, and that will give the Sharks an early platform to take a grip of the game in the opening quarter.
With key backs returning, including Smith and Northmore, Harlequins should be far more competitive than the team that has been turned over two in the last fortnight.
Key Match Stats
Sale lost their first home league game of the season, going down 34-24 to Bristol at the CorpAcq Stadium.
The Sharks have won the last five meetings between the two teams.
Sale have scored 18 tries to Harlequins' 15 across their combined four domestic games this season.
The teams have been separated by fewer than 20 points in four of their last five meetings.
Quins (15) have made more clean breaks than Sale (13) in their first two Premiership fixtures.
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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.
