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Festive fancies

Image: Gloucester: The weekend's biggest favourites to claim an early two-point gift

Sky Bet's rugby union expert tells us where you can make some extra Christmas money.

Sky Bet's Jordan Fiddes tells us who will have a happy Christmas

After its European interruption, attention returns to the domestic campaign and the last game before Christmas for all the Aviva Premiership sides. It's safe to say that each of the 12 teams competing in 2013/14 would like an early festive present, although some are in more need than others. Bottom placed club Worcester are desperate for the four points this weekend but, according to the bookies, they'll be sent home with nothing more than a bag of coal when they travel to Gloucester. Lying a massive 10 points adrift at the foot of the table, the Warriors - who are now 1/20 to finish with the wooden spoon - are rightly the outsiders to start their assent up the table this week.

Christmas cracker

It'll be a little harder for Santa to hand out the victory in the Bath and Harlequins game though, with both sides finding form in their respective European fixtures. The home side racked up 20 tries over their two games against Rugby Mogliano in the Amlin Cup - shortening their price to 8/1 for Grand Final glory this year - and will be slight favourites to overcome the challenge posed by the Quins. Currently the best travelling side in this year's Premiership, the London-based club are 10/1 to win this year's trophy and Conor O'Shea's men are still a short price to claim the win against Bath, despite being the outsiders. It's more clear-cut at Exeter this weekend as they welcome Newcastle Falcons to Sandy Park. The hosts have never lost three games in a row at their new ground but are staring down the barrel of an unwanted hat-trick after recent defeats at home to Saracens and Toulon. However, their performances against the European Champions has given them a much-needed boost coming back into the domestic arena and they will be strong odds-on to beat the Falcons. Dean Richards' side are 10 points off their counterparts for this weekend, yet a bonus point win would put them right back into the mix for a potential, and surprising, play-off spot. They are 7/2 to win and a massive 6/1 to win by over 12 points.

Merry treat

Even Saint Nick himself will take a break from Christmas wrapping for 80 minutes to watch last year's top two sides compete at Allianz Park in Round 10. The Sarries remain the favourites to win this year's competition at 2/1 while Leicester are not far behind at 11/4. It's a lot shorter for the home side to take the spoils this weekend but, as we saw in last year's play-off campaign, you can never write off the Tigers. They currently have a +5 handicap to their name and, considering they have won their last six games in all competitions, this could be a good bet. It's not going to be easy against Owen Farrell and co. with the current leaders having lost just once since their move to Allianz Park at the start of last season. Fiddes Cent Leicester to win by over five points - 3/1

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