Saracens vs Sale Sharks
Saracens welcome the Sale Sharks to the StoneX stadium in this clash of the big guns. The home team is comfortably sitting in second place with 27 points while the Sharks are in eighth position with 17 points. Saracens are a massive ten points behind runaway leaders Leicester Tigers while the Sharks are eight points behind the fourth playoff position. The visitors have a dreadful away record having not won on the road this while the home team is unbeaten at home this season. This will be a clash of the forwards packs as both teams have international stars all through their packs.
TIP: There are many great clashes in this match but the battle at scrum time will be mouth-watering. Both teams have international front rows with the contest between Mako Vunipola and Bevan Rodd particularly interesting as Vunipola has lost his place in the England team to Rodd. I am sure the elder statesman will want to try and get the better of the youngster. Both packs have big ball carriers so we can expect plenty of huge collisions in this match. The bookies have the Saracens as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.20, Playabets 1.19 and Sunbet 1.17
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Saracens vs Sale Sharks
- In the last five matches between the sides there have been just one victory for Saracens.
- Saracens have only ever lost once to the Sharks at home.
- The last time these sides met Sale Sharks won 24-17.
Latest results for both teams
Saracens drew 34-34 against London Irish in their last match while Sale beat Northampton 30-6 in their last match.
PREDICTION
This match will be decided by the stronger forward pack and that is why it is so hard to call a winner here. Both packs are laden with international players and the backlines also have some game breakers. Saracens will miss their inspirational captain Owen Farrell but have a most experienced replacement in Alex Goods. The most dangerous player in the Sarries backline is Max Malins and he is deadly if given any space. Sale will look to their powerhouse center Rohan Janse van Rensburg to get them over the advantage line. He almost always needs two tacklers to bring him down. This tight match will be decided in the last quarter with the home team sneaking the win by 3 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Saracens
15 Max Malins, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Alex Goode (cc), 9 Aled Davies, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jackson Wray (cc), 6 Nick Isiekwe, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Ethan Lewis, 1 Mako Vunipola
Sale Sharks
15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Byron McGuigan, 13 Sam James, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Tom Roebuck, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Raffi Quirke, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Ben Curry, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean-Luc du Preez, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Saracens victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.20
Playabets 1.19
Sunbet 1.17
Odds comparison on the Sale Sharks handicap :
The complete odds on the Sale Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+12.5) 1.82
Playabets (+11.5) 1.90
Predictions and Odds in details
The Saracens team will need to keep a close eye on recent England try scorer Raffi Quirke who is so fast and dangerous around the rucks and mauls. The lineout will also be hotly contested between Maro Itoje and Lood de Jager. Their international rivalry will continue now at club level and the winner of this contest could go a long way to deciding who wins the match. The bookies are offering poor returns on the Saracens outright win therefore I suggest the away team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+11.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+12.5) 1.82 and Playabets (+11.5) 1.90
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
