Leinster vs Harlequins Predictions - Leinster set to beat the Quins for a third time in a row

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 5 minutes ago

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Brad Newcomb 5 minutes ago

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Leinster strong form at home, 7 wins in 8 games.
Harlequins currently on a 9-match away losing streak.
Leinster favoured to cover the -23.5 handicap.

Leinster often win their home fixtures (Getty Images)

Leinster crushed Harlequins in their previous encounter and have been in solid form at home. The Harlequins have been struggling to win and are on a lengthy losing streak when playing away from home.

Leinster have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures (URC).
Leinster have won 7 of their last 7 home matches (URC).
Leinster have defeated Harlequins by 62 points last season.
Harlequins have lost 4 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
Harlequins have lost 9 successive matches away from home.

Head to Head

Leinster have a slight edge with three victories to one against Harlequins in four meetings.

Leinster Form

Leinster fell short in the semi-final of the European Rugby Champions Cup last season, losing 34-37 to the Northampton Saints.

Leinster are in sixth place in the United Rugby Championship table with 16 points from six matches.

Leinster have been in great touch in their last five home fixtures. They defeated the Glasgow Warriors 37-19, the Bulls 32-7, the Sharks 31-5, lost 31-14 to Munster, and then beat Zebre 50-26.

Leinster will fancy their chances of winning their opening Investec Cup pool game, as they have won seven of their last eight home matches and thrashed Harlequins in the competition last season.

Harlequins Form

Harlequins were overwhelmed in their Round of 16 clash with Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup last season, losing 62-0.

Harlequins are in eighth position on the Premiership table after six rounds, with ten points.

Harlequins lost 26-14 to Newcastle, 29-19 to Leicester Tigers, 38-0 to Exeter, 26-17 to the Northampton Saints, and 26-15 to Gloucester in their last five outings away from home.

Harlequins are in a slump away from home, losing nine in a row, and they had no answer against Leinster last season.

Team News

Leinster

Jacques Nienaber recently shutdown speculation about a return to South Africa after he said: "… I enjoy working with Leinster, that's why I extended my contract”

All Black Rieko Ioane could make his debut for Leinster against the Harlequins in Dublin this weekend.

Harlequins

Winger Cadan Murley said ahead of their upcoming clash with Leinster: "You can't go to these teams, especially the likes of Leinster, and expect to bully them and impose your physicality necessarily.

"You have got to be brave, you have got to pull the chances, you've got to throw that pass if it's a 60-40, you have got to be brave in these situations, that's the mindset we have tried to impose all week and we're trying to bring to this game."