Powergen Cup Betting Preview - Quins Big Price at 50/1

In the midst of the recent internationals, the Zurich Premiership and the Heineken Cup, the Powergen Cup third round draw made very few headlines when it was announced in October. The bookies produced prices however and in some cases these seem to have remained constant.At the time include of the draw, Harlequins were in wretched form, having lost their opening five league games, including a 7-33 drubbing at new boys and relegation favourites Worcester. Being handed a game away at Bath was hardly what Mike Evans would have hoped for then, but since this time the fortunes of the club have improved greatly.Although not winning any of their subsequent five games, strong displays against Gloucester away (13-19), Leicester (9-15), Muster away (9-15), Castres (23-23) and Wasps away (16-19) made the Stoop faithful believe that a turn around was in process. Their trust has been justified too, with three successive wins in the Premiership since.The first of these was a hammering of Saracens 40-10, and this was followed by a win at high flying Sale Sharks and another at home against a dangerous Leeds outfit.To win at Bath will be no easy task, but this renaissance of Quins, who have a proud Cup record will mean they travel to the Recreation Ground high in confidence. Both clubs have two Heineken Cup matches to get through prior to this game on December 18th and injuries could well play a part in the outcome. At 50/1 with Ladbrokes we feel that Quins deserve support.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> There are three other all Premiership ties, and the advancing teams will be encouraged to know that one of Leicester and Gloucester, one of Worcester and London Irish and one of Saracens and Newcastle will all be absent from the quarter final draw. Even the likes of Wasps who were dumped out by Pertemps Bees last year will not relish going to Bristol, and the ongoing fragility of Northampton will be tested by local rivals Bedford. Quins are proving themselves to be a fine team, and at home they certainly have the capability to beat anyone. The draw for the quarterfinals will be random and at this price a small bet is advised. Powergen Cup 3rd Round Draw: Leicester v GloucesterSale v Plymouth AlbionWorcester v London IrishLeeds v Birmingham BeesNorthampton v BedfordBath v HarlequinsBristol v WaspsSaracens v Newcastle Have a free bet on the rugby with Blue Square!