Northampton vs Racing
The Saints and Racing kick of the 2021/22 Champions Cup and it’s a blockbuster match up with both teams littered with internationals. Northampton are in great form this season and are fourth in the English Premiership while Racing have had an indifferent start to the season with three defeats in their last three matches leaving them in 8th position in the French Top 14. Form is not important coming into the European season as Racing have performed superbly in the past few seasons and I expect them to bounce back into form this week. The injury to Courtney Lawes will seriously dent the home team’s chances.
TIP: The French team have international stars from number 9 to 15 and also have more international players in their pack. There will of course be many individual match ups but the stand out one is at flyhalf. The two Lions Finn Russell and Dan Biggar go head to head and the winner of this personal contest will steer their team to victory. The bookies have Racing as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the victory. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.80, Playabets 1.86 and Sunbet 1.83
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Northampton vs Racing
- These teams have only met twice before with one draw and a 32-8 victory for Racing in the other match in 2015.
Latest results for both teams
Saints won their last match 40-19 against Bath while Racing lost 25-3 against Castres in their last match..
PREDICTION
Most rugby matches are decided by the stronger pack and in this match the two forward pack look to be evenly matched. The difference is in the backline were the French sides have full flair and pace. They have the maverick Russell at ten and an all French center pair in Virimi Vakatawa and Gael Fickou. This alone is enough to scare any opposition but then you got world class players like Teddy Thomas and Kurtley Beale as well. The Saints will have to find a way to stop Racing from getting quick ball from the rucks or else the French team will run riot. I expect Racing to be too strong and I predict a French win by 8 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Northampton Saints
15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 6 Karl Wilkins, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Nick Auterac
Racing
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Ibrahim Diallo, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Bernard Le Roux, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Ali Oz, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Guram Gogichashvili
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Racing victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.80
Playabets 1.86
Sunbet 1.83
Odds comparison on the Racing handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Racing handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-1.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-1.5) 1.92
Playabets (+0.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
The Saints will look to their pack to carry them through in this match especially at lineout time when they will use their rolling maul. If Bigger can link up his backline then the Saints could spring a surprise. Racing have a wealth of experience in European rugby competition while the Saints haven’t been playing in Europe’s premier competition in a while. The French will match the Saints in the forwards but Racing’s backline will carry them to victory. The bookies fairly decent returns on the outright Racing win but the value bet is the away team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-1.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-1.5) 1.92 and Playabets (+0.5) 1.84
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.
