This weekend's Premiership predictions

ALL eyes will be on the weather this weekend after only one Principality Premiership game survived the big freeze last Saturday.

The forecast isn’t looking too clever so there could well be another programme of fixtures badly hit by the cold snap.

Bedwas v Pontypridd

BEDWAS have blown hot and cold at home this season with four wins and five defeats. Victories have come against Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins though Pontypridd have suffered the joint-lowest number of losses in the league.

Having said that, Ponty have lost their last three away fixtures in the league, at Bridgend, Aberavon and Llanelli, possibly making their trip to Bedwas a bit closer than it might seem at first glance.

If the hosts can keep the ball away from the Ponty backs they have a chance of running them close but you’d expect the visitors to have too much and ease clear in the second-half.

Verdict – Pontypridd by nine points

Llanelli v Bridgend

Victory over Pontypool last time out will give the Scarlets the edge for this encounter for the fact they won’t have been inactive for the last fortnight.

Okay, the Ravens are above Llanelli in the table but in fairness to Saturday’s hosts, it doesn’t take into account that they have four games in hand over the visitors to Parc y Scarlets.

Llanelli won the reverse fixture 25-20 not too long ago and look well set to do the double over a side they haven’t played at home in nearly three years.

Verdict – Llanelli by seven points

Cross Keys v Neath

Arguably the game of the day sees Neath go to Pandy Park for what could be a free-running and open encounter between two teams who like to spin the ball out wide.

A win against leaders Llandovery two weeks ago signalled Neath’s intentions in this second half of the season while Keys won’t want to let their form in the B&I Cup distract them from the bread and butter of the Premiership.

It has the makings of a close and reasonably high-scoring clash which Keys can edge if they keep the Neath pack at bay.

Verdict – Neath by four points

Newport v Cardiff

Newport’s season can’t come to an end any sooner. One place off the bottom in the league and knocked out of the cup by Ebbw Vale, the club has had a mediocre campaign to say the least.

The side from the capital haven’t troubled to teams at the top of the table either but they do have a number of promising youngsters coming through the ranks.

This should be an away victory though with Cardiff you’re never quite sure what XV will turn up on the day.

Verdict – Cardiff by 10 points

Pontypool v Aberavon

Last weekend’s cancellations meant Aberavon had to live with their cup defeat by Bargoed for a little bit longer without having the chance to erase it from their collective memories.

Pooler did play at Llanelli but lost for the 12^th time this season, showing just why they are the third worst team in the league.

But if the Wizards play like they did against Bargoed, Pooler will fancy toppling their top five opponents though Aberavon should have a much stronger line-up on this occasion.

Verdict – Aberavon by seven points

Tonmawr v Swansea

Can Tonmawr build on their cup success against Treorchy and finally win a league game? One suspects almost certainly not.

Jason Hyatt has found a few gems at Swansea and, mixed with a couple of more experienced older heads, Tonmawr shouldn’t be too much of a problem for his young squad.

You perhaps feel the hosts’ best chance of breaking their duck was at home against Newport last time out in the league and although they did beat Treorchy, there will be only one result on Saturday.

Verdict – Swansea by 15 points