Welsh Premiership weekend predictions

Aberavon v Bedwas

Before the start of the season most people would have had this down as a home banker but it’s quite the opposite after contrasting openings to the campaign for both clubs.

Bedwas are a top three side at the moment and rightly so after brushing aside Llanelli at home last weekend while Aberavon put in an improved performance at Cardiff but still lost 16-6.

You feel that a win for Aberavon is inevitable but Bedwas won’t want to be the ones to suffer.

Verdict – Bedwas by six points

Bridgend v Carmarthen Quins

Both of these sides have just the one win from five games this term yet Quins have four points more than Bridgend with three of their losses coming by seven or less.

The teams suffered narrow defeats last time with Quins beaten late on by Newport while the Ravens led Pontypridd until the champions pulled clear in the closing stages of a high-scoring game at Sardis Road.

Verdict – Bridgend by seven points

Cardiff v Swansea

Swansea pushed unbeaten leaders Llandovery close last Saturday but eventually lost by five points at Church Bank and going to the Arms Park should act as an extra incentive to win against their old rivals.

As for Cardiff, they were given a tough test by Aberavon but showed they can win ugly after a couple of landslide victories against Bridgend and Newport.

Verdict – Cardiff by 10 points

Llandovery v Newport

If Newport hadn’t won at Carmarthen they’d have been going to Church Bank with little or no hope of winning.

Llandovery should still win to extend their unbeaten start to six but it might be a bit closer than most think.

Verdict – Llandovery by 10 points

Llanelli v Cross Keys

This will be the first big test away from Pandy Park for Cross Keys but they go into it above Llanelli with only one defeat so far this season.

Llanelli got nothing from Bedwas so will want to put that right and this looks like being a very close encounter at Parc y Scarlets.

Verdict – Llanelli by three points

Neath v Pontypridd

Dale McIntosh makes 10 changes to the Pontypridd side that lined up against Bridgend while his Neath counterpart, Patrick Horgan, welcomes back four players from injury.

That said, Neath were thrashed by Cross Keys last Saturday and although they took some time to see off Bridgend, Pontypridd are in free-scoring form right now so it would be a big surprise if the result tomorrow was anything other than an away win.

Verdict – Pontypridd by 10 points

By David Williams