Warriors vs Wasps Odds and Picks
By Robert Duff in Rugby
Updated: May 16, 2021 at 8:59 am EDTPublished:
- Wasps are 15.5-point home favorites over Worcester Warriors in a Rugby Premiership match on Saturday, May 15th
- Wasps have won 13 straight matches from the Worcester Warriors
- Warriors have never won a match at Ricoh Arena
When it comes to matches against Wasps, it’s the worst of times for the Worcester Warriors. When those are away matches at Wasps’ Ricoh Arena, things grow even worse for the Warriors.
Wasps are riding a 13-match winning streak over Worcester as the two sides are slated to meet Saturday at 10am ET. At Ricoh Arena, home to Wasps since 2014, the Warriors are 0-5 all-time.
No wonder then that Wasps are listed as the overwhelming odds-on -770 favorites to come away with the victory from Saturday’s match. Wasps are 15.5-point home favorites as well. They’ve won the five matches over Worcester played at Ricoh Arena by a average margin of 11.8 points per game.
Worcester Warriors vs Wasps Rugby Premiership Odds
| Player | Moneyline | Spread | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Warriors | +460 | +15.5 (-122) | OFF |
| Wasps | -770 | -15.5 (-109) | OFF |
Odds as of May 14th
Worcester declined a suggestion by Wasps to move the match to next week, when spectators are again to be allowed to attend matches.
Outscored By Quins
Sunday’s loss to Harlequins marked the third setback in four Premiership matches for Wasps. It was the second time in three matches that they’d scored at least 39 points.
However, it was also the second time in three matches that Wasps had surrendered more than 40 points. The black and gold are just 1-6 in their past seven home matches.
Slumping Warriors
As bad as things have gone lately for Wasps, it’s been far worse in Worcester. The bottom of the table Warriors are 3-0-15 on the season. They show a league-worst -226 point differential.
Worcester have lost the past 17 matches played in all competitions. The last victory posted by the Warriors was an 11-10 verdict over London Irish on November 21st.
In four of their past five matches, they’ve surrendered at least 41 points. Exeter scored 41 against Worcester, while Harlequins put up 50 and Northampton landed 62. Bath scored 47 points.
Worcester have scored less than 20 points in five of the last nine matches.
Four Changes For Wasps
Wasps opted to makes four switches from the side that lost to Harlequins. Ben Morris starts in the back row, while Gabriel Oghre is in at hooker and Charlie Atkinson starts at fullback for the first time. Tighthead prop Biyi Alo makes his first appearance in the side since last October’s Premiership final.
After a three-match absence, Jimmy Gopperth is named among the replacements for the match. Kieran Brookes (back) and Tom Willis (concussion) are out.
🗞️ TEAM NEWS 🗞️
Your Wasps side to face @WorcsWarriors @RicohArena in @premrugby Round 1⃣9⃣…
🟡 @brad_shields captains side in 5⃣0⃣th game
⚫️ @biyialo plays his first game of the season
🟡 @atkinsonc_ starts at full back for first time#COYW 🐝https://t.co/MpRB5eKiGH— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) May 14, 2021
Tom Cruse (calf) Joe Launchbury (knee), Jack Willis (knee), Ryan Mills (foot), Marcus Watson (Achilles) Theo Vukasinovic (Achilles) and Matteo Minozzi (eye) were already on the injured list.
Wasps also announced this week that the club had signed Doncaster loosehead prop Robin Hislop for the 2021-22 season.
Venter Makes 50th Appearance
South Africa international centre Francois Venter will make his 50th appearance for Warriors in Saturday’s match. There are three changes to the side that lost 41-10 at Exeter.
📋 𝟱𝟬 up for @Swys_Venter as we head to Wasps. pic.twitter.com/tvY35E4L4q
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) May 14, 2021
Former Wasps player Billy Searle has been recalled at fly-half to replace Fin Smith, who has a sore shoulder. Wales Under-20 international Harri Doel will make his first start on the left wing. Currently on loan from Sale, Warriors announced that Doel will join the club on a full-time basis for next season.
Among the forward pack, the only change is at tighthead prop, where Richard Palframan will start in place of Nick Schonert. He’s been ruled out by an ankle injury Schonert sustained in the first half at Exeter.
Pick: Wasps -15.5 points (-109)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
