The road to Edinburgh is a well-trodden one and looms ever nearer on the horizon.
Rugby results over the next few weeks could set the scene for the remainder of the campaign and many clubs remain in the hunt for ultimate glory.
Betting odds naturally favour holders Saracens – outright @ 2.50 – and Clermont – outright @ 4.00– , but we’re about to find out who will join them in the quarter-finals.
With progress from Pool 3 all but secured, Saracens will be without suspended skipper Brad Barritt for their remaining two matches against Scarlets and Toulon who can all but qualify by seeing off bottom and pointless Sale Sharks this weekend.
Scarlets’ thrilling 22-21 win over Toulon just before Christmas has left the group on a knife edge.
It’s even closer in Pool 2 where Wasps, Toulouse and Connacht are only separated by points difference.
On paper, the French club have the toughest assignment having already played bottom club Zebre – also pointless – twice.
Perhaps they will have to rely on a qualifying spot as the best runners-up.
With last year’s defeated finalists Racing out of the equation in Pool One, Leicester need to rise to the challenge if they’re to oust a rejuvenated Munster or Glasgow Warriors from the top two spots in Pool 1.
Their pride is hurting but they showed in the Aviva Premiership last weekend – when they gave Wasps a scare – that they are still a club with heart and soul.
The top two clash at Scotstoun this weekend has already been billed by Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend as one of the biggest in the club’s history.
Glasgow are showing signs of bringing their domestic form onto the European stage and need a big result before travelling to Leicester for the final group game.
Pool 4 has seen Leinster re-establish their credentials as they prepare to host a Montpellier side, themselves hoping to keep Castres at bay.
Victory in this one will see them qualify and put the ghost of group elimination last season behind them.
Meanwhile, Clermont have taken control of Pool 5 with three victories, keeping them eight points above Bordeaux and Ulster who clash on the final weekend of the group fixtures.
The permutations remain great. The possibilities, too close to call.
And don’t bet on some of the lowly clubs bouncing back from their early season struggles to cause a surprise, too.
It’s all to play for over the next fortnight!
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
