Saracens took a huge step towards securing a top-four finish in the Premiership by denting Leicester Tigers' own hopes in a 22-6 victory.
Just one place and two points separated third-placed Saracens from the Tigers before Saturday's contest at Allianz Park.
Saracens led 7-6 at the break as Billy Vunipola bulldozed his way over the line on the stroke of half-time and Charlie Hodgson added the conversion.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second period as Marcelo Bosch crossed within one minute of the restart, before Chris Wyles added the third try in the 49th minute after the television match official confirmed the ball had been grounded fairly.
Leicester pummelled the Saracens defence in the closing stages, but Mark McCall's men held firm to take the crucial win.
Elsewhere, Harlequins boosted their chances of playing next season's European Rugby Championship Cup in an enthralling 29-26 triumph against Gloucester.
The pivotal moment came when Marland Yarde and Ollie Lindsay-Hague touched down for Harlequins in the closing stages when Gloucester had Ross Moriarty and Charlie Sharples in the sin-bin.
Dan Robson crossed the line for Gloucester to set up a tense finale, but it proved too little, too late.