Miles Harrison expects an even contest as Saracens and Harlequins clash at Wembley.
Wembley pitch shouldn't dampen this capital clash, says Miles
Sky Sports is on the road to Wembley for this weekend's Guinness Premiership live offering.
Saracens have enjoyed playing big fixtures at the Home of Football this season, having already seen off Northampton Saints, Worcester and even South Africa under the Wembley arch.
However, local rivals Harlequins are on a good run of form and will be hoping to upset their neighbours' hopes of sealing a play-off spot.
Sky Sports commentator Miles Harrison gives his thoughts ahead of the game...
It seems Sarries like Wembley having beaten Saints, Worcester and South Africa there Miles...
MILES REPLIES: It has been good for them on many fronts and not least because of those victories. I suppose at the outset there might have been a worry for Saracens when they announced their plans to play the Wembley games in that the venue can inspire - the opposition as well as the home team - but, so far it seems to have lifted Saracens that little bit more than their visitors and they will try and make it four from four this weekend.
The Wembley pitch has been in the news this week for the wrong reasons. Will that affect this game?
MILES REPLIES:I'm told it is looking fine although there is no doubt that Wembley has to take a serious look at this problem if the idea of utilising the venue to its full extent is going to work. You simply can't afford to have these constant mutterings, especially when they come from the prime driving force behind the ground, the sport of football. If other sports are going to try and make good use of the facilities, then clearly the football authorities and clubs must be kept happy. The relaying of the pitch ten times already shows that something is badly wrong. There is no doubt that there have been issues for rugby too, we all remember the Barbarians match against Australia for example and the problems at the scrum in that game. I sincerely hope that the pitch is not a talking point this weekend and I suppose the recent drier and warmer weather should have helped.
Sarries bounced back from their disappointing defeat at Kingsholm with a morale-boosting win at Sale last weekend and a victory over Quins will all but secure them a place in the play-offs won't it?
MILES REPLIES: It looks that way. It would leave Wasps, in fifth, with too much to do. But, bear in mind, Saracens' last two games are away at Northampton and Leicester. On the one hand, they could be great preparation matches to see how ready the team is for a play-off challenge but, on the other, Saracens don't want to have to be winning those should they slip up versus Quins and say Wasps win at Worcester this weekend.
Quins have won their last couple of games - can they make it three in a row?
MILES REPLIES: Yes they can and the way they played against Leeds was very encouraging for their supporters but remember that Saracens won a tough one at Sale and they looked pretty good also in that thrilling defeat to Gloucester and had a very good home win against Newcastle the week before. I don't know about the result on Saturday but I am pretty certain that the recent form and style of play from both teams points to a very entertaining evening at Wembley and a pretty even contest too. Maybe, the home factor for Sarries will just shade it again as it did when Northampton, Worcester and South Africa all played under the giant arch this season.
