Sale Sharks vs Leicester Tigers
The Sharks welcomes the Tigers to the AJ Bell Stadium in this Gallagher Premiership encounter. The Tigers unbeaten run ended in their last league match when they were beaten by Wasps. The Sharks are desperate for a win as they sit in 9th position on the log while the Tigers are eight points clear at the top despite their loss. The Tigers will be without their flyhalf George Ford and captain Ellis Genge who are both on national duty. The Sharks will be missing a couple of players as well due to the national team.
TIP:Both these team rely on forward dominance before launching their potent backlines but this match sees two very even pack of forwards. The difference could be in the halfbacks and the Sharks certainly have the edge in this department. The Tigers have a great scrum but will be missing Genge although they still have internationals Dan Cole and Julian Montoya in the front row. The bookies have Sale as favourites and I also tip them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.62, Playabets 1.58 and Sunbet 1.60
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Sale Sharks vs Leicester Tigers
- Sale have won three of the last five matches between these teams.
- Leicester have won the last two matches against Sale.
- The Sharks have won their last three home matches against the Tigers.
Latest results for both teams
The Sharks beat Ospreys 49-10 in their last match while the Tigers beat Connacht 29-28 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Both these teams prefer to keep the ball amongst the forwards with the flyhalfs kicking for territory. The Sharks have Dan Du Preez and his battle with Springbok counterpart Jasper Wiese is surely to be one of the highlights of the match. The player that could be the star for the Sharks is Rohan Janse van Rensburg. He is a powerhouse centre and always gets over the advantage line. If the Tigers are to win this match they will need to stop him before he gets on a run. The Sharks will be too strong for a Tigers team depleted by England call ups and I expect them to win by six points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Sale Sharks
15 Luke James, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Robert du Preez, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Byron McGuigan, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Ben Curry, 6 Jono Ross (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean-Luc du Preez, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Ross Harrison
Leicester
15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Matt Scott, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Guy Porter, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Richard Wigglesworth (c), 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 George Martin, 5 Calum Green, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 James Whitcombe
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sale Sharks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.62
Playabets 1.58
Sunbet 1.60
Odds comparison on the Sale Sharks handicap :
The complete odds on the Sale Sharks handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (-3.5) 1.91
Sunbet (-3.5) 1.94
Playabets (-3.5) 1.85
Predictions and Odds in details
The Tigers have been deadly this season with their driving maul and they have scored the most tries from the maul than any other team in the league. The Sharks have shown that they are excellent defenders of the driving maul with the Du Preez brothers and the likes of Ben Curry in their pack. The bookies are offering decent returns on the Sharks outright win but I suggest the home team on the handicap as a better bet. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-3.5) 1.91, Sunbet (-3.5) 1.94 and Playabets (-3.5) 1.85
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.
