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With that in mind, and with the pool stages of the Heineken Cup this year matching the intensity of last year's knockout stages, I could be taking leave of my senses when I predict some important away wins this weekend as the play-off picture is completed.
But when we start on Friday night, I think most rugby fans will agree that the power of the home sides may prove too much....
Pool 3
Friday 14 January
Northampton v Glasgow
19:30
Northampton, because of that brilliant try from Steve Thompson, can confirm their place in the quarter finals with a win over Glasgow at Franklin's Gardens.
Quite a few people were crowded around the commentary position at Welford Road on Sunday afternoon where we had a monitor showing the Saints game. We all gasped as Steve Thompson brilliantly and intelligently went under the posts.
Now the Saints have this great chance but Glasgow won't be a pushover.
PREDICTION: Saints
I will back the Saints in front of their own crowd, where they are feeling much better with Budge Pountney and Paul Grayson in charge. Northampton to make sure of a second place qualification.
Pool 3
Friday, January 07
Toulouse (Fra) v Llanelli (Wal)
KO 7.30pm, Sky Sports 2, 7pm
I was very impressed with what Toulouse did in the wind and rain in Glasgow. Last week we said that they would have to crank it up and they did!
They will certainly do so again in front of their own support on Friday night.
Sadly for them, the Scarlets haven't qualified this year and despite their fighting qualities (evident in the defeat at Stradey to Northampton), they will be shown no mercy from compatriot Gareth Thomas and his Toulouse team.
PREDICTION: Toulouse
We are starting to see Toulouse as we know them and a home quarter final for them is massive. They will try to ensure they get one with victory over the Scarlets.
Last week, this column had a good run on predictions - had Leicester managed to complete their comeback, it would have been twelve from twelve.
This weekend it could be very different - like so many games, the outcome of the match at Gloucester is virtually impossible to predict.
All rugby fans should approach this final round of the Heineken Cup pool matches with extreme caution if they are to be successful down at the bookies!
So, if you are not going to a game, then the best option is to spend your money more wisely on refreshments for some serious rugby viewing.
I cannot wait for that first whistle to blow on Friday night! Just watch us on Sky Sports for all the action.
Saturday sizzles with permutations and possibilities for some of the giants of European rugby.
Ireland's two great hopes, Leinster and Munster, are in action, and whilst the Lions are already assured of a place in the knockout stages, both will be looking to cap off the pool stage with another win that would ensure home advantage in the quarter finals.
In pool one, two great Enlgish sides face early elimination. Leicester fans and players alike will have one eye on south west France as they look to do all they can against Calvisano to end up on 19 points.
And they will be hoping for a favour from rivals Wasps, who with a win in France, could eliminate Biarritz and allow the Tigers to squeeze into the last eight.
But before all of that pool three will be concluded, in Twickenham, where 30,00 fans will watch Munster and Harlequins, and in Neath, where the Ospreys could end Castres' dream of quarter final qualification.
Pool 4
Harlequins v Munster, KO 13.00
Live on Sky Sports 3
This game at Twickenham will give us a new record crowd for a pool match, beating Leinster's record set last season. There will be some atmosphere on Saturday - not only have the Quins' supporters responded to this initiative but plenty of Munster fans have got tickets too, as you would expect.
The decision to host the game at Twickenham was taken with an element of risk but it has paid off, and not just in an economic sense. We have seen a lot of full houses recently and Quins are trying to move the game forward.
These initiatives have to be tried and even though their team have nothing but pride to play for, it is refreshing to see the Harlequins support embracing the idea.
Quins will relish the chance of an upset but Munster played a typically strong game at home to Ospreys last weekend and they still have a pack to be reckoned with.
Whether Munster have the incisive back three or midfield to win this competition, I'm not sure, but whoever they meet gets a run for their money, due to the effort the Irishmen put into every match.
PREDICTION: A home quarter final will be at the forefront of Munster's mind, perhaps more than any other team, as no one fancies a trip to Thomond Park! (opposition players that is!)
Pool 4
Ospreys v Castres, KO. 13.00
Castres played themselves back into the Heineken Cup with the win over Quins. If they go to Wales and do a job on the Ospreys, they can still top the pool if Munster slip up at Twickenham.
It won't be easy for them though - the Ospreys will feel that they have more to give in this competition and will be regretting the losing start at Castres that has shaped their whole campaign.
Saturday will be a revenge mission and the Welshmen will be looking to end on a high as they continue to build for the future.
PREDICTION: The Ospreys could well win it at home and this is certainly one of the toughestof the games to predict. But Castres have a lot to gain by winning and are well poised in this pool. On a weekend of away wins, they could pick up a big one on their travels.
Pool 1
Biarritz v Wasps, KO 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 3
The Wasps management had a monitor to watch the Leicester game during their game against Calvisano. They thought the job was done by Biarritz until Leicester scored their late try. Now Wasps have to get the bonus point - exactly what they did in Perpignan last year.
People still talk about that match because, despite the venue, Wasps ripped the French apart.
Whilst they would love to make another piece of history this weekend, this Biarritz side is better than that Perpignan team of year ago. This time, Wasps will have to deal with the Biarritz pack, Yachvilli and all their other stars behind the scrum.
Pool one has more than lived up to its billing and has taken the Heineken Cup pool stage to new levels. What more could you have asked for? And if Biarritz knock out these two great English clubs, they will deserve their reward of a place in the quarter finals.
PREDICTION: Based on last week, the majority of rugby followers would go with Biarritz but I have had a sneaky feeling for some time that Wasps will go to Biarritz and win. Whether it will be enough to qualify I don't know - they need four tries, but what drama is in store!
Pool 1
Calvisano v Leicester, KO 16:00
Although Leicester will win and will get the maximum five points, their fate depends on the result of the Biarritz v Wasps clash.
To progress in the competition, Leicester need Wasps to win but not to score the four tries needed for a bonus point. If this happens, then it would not just be a bitter pill for Wasps' fans to swallow, it would be an overdose!
All the three teams involved in the final weekend shake-up will acknowledge that the side who does finish top will deserve it and any luck they get will not be begrudged.
PREDICTION: Leicester to get their five points but will it be enough for them?
Pool 2
Leinster v Treviso, KO 17:15
Live on Sky Sports 3
Leinster have already booked a berth in the knockout stages and I anticipate them getting a home quarter final as top seeds, having played six, won six.
They need to address the forward issue though. When you look at the names in their pack, they have the quality to sort it out but it will be a worry to them that Bath got on top in that department last week. In their favour, as the last five minutes at the Rec showed, they seem to have things going for them and the talent to never be far from victory.
Treviso have now won three with their win in Bourgoin. They have deserved their success in this campaign
but have probably reached the end of the road for victories this season.
PREDICTION: I think Leinster will make it six wins out of six on Saturday.
Pool 2
Bourgoin v Bath, KO 18:15
It's all over for both of these sides. I am never quite sure what to expect from this type of game and who will react best to a poor situation.
Under John Connolly and Mike Foley, I know that Bath will be too proud to not perform well - and anyone who has put in a good performance against Bourgoin this season has won.
PREDICTION: On the basis that Bourgoin have given up the ghost on this competition and are concentrating on the French league.
