Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers
The Saints welcome the Tigers to Franklin Gardens with both teams in excellent form. Saints are fresh from a 66-10 drubbing of the Warriors while the Tigers saw off a strong Sale Sharks outfit. The Tigers are 6 wins from 6 and sit pretty at the top of the log while the Saints have only lost once this season and are in fourth position. They also have a game in hand over the teams above them. The big news is that the Tigers will be without their inspirational captain Ellis Genge who is away on national duty. When he was appointed club captain at the start of the season many thought it was a mistake due due discipline issues but he has been a revelation and will be sorely missed. The Saints lose Courtney Lawes and that is also a huge blow to them.
TIP: The key battle in this match will be at flyhalf where England discard George Ford will be up against Wales 10 Dan Biggar. Ford has been the catalyst for the Tigers great run but was overlooked by Eddie Jones for the upcoming test matches and he will want nothing more than to prove Jones made the wrong decision. Biggar will also want a big game to cement himself as the starting 10 for Wales. The Tigers have relied on a strong forward pack to dominate teams but this Saints team is also very strong up front, so this battle could well decide the match. The Tigers come into this match as slight favourites and I’m also tipping them to win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.66, Playabets 1.91 and Sunbet 1.87
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers
- In the last five matches between the sides there have been four Saints wins to the Tigers one.
- The Saints have won their last two home games against the Tigers.
- The last time the Tigers won away to the Saints was in 2018.
Latest results for both teams
The Saints won their last match 66-10 against the Worcester Warriors while the Tigers beat Sale Sharks 19-11 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The battle between the packs is going to be intense and fiery with the two eighth men leading the charge. South Africans Jasper Wiese and Juarno Augustus go head to head from the base of the scrum in a battle that could have future international connotations for both men. George Ford has been brilliant in controlling the matches and choosing when to keep the ball in the forwards or when to use his dangerous backline. He has great attackers like the giant Nemani Nadolo who always needs two or more defenders to bring him to ground. His opposite number Courtnall Skosan had a fairytale start to life as a Saint when he scored a hat trick in his first match. Things will be much tougher in this match especially defending against Nadolo. This match will go down to the wire but I predict a Tigers win by 4 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Northampton Saints
15 Rory Hutchinson, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Teimana Harrison, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Alex Waller (c)
Leicester Tigers
15 Freddie Burns, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 George Ford (c), 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Francois van Wyk.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Leicester Tigers victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.66
Playabets 1.91
Sunbet 1.87
Odds comparison on the Leicester handicap victory:
The complete odds on the Leicester handicap victory
Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+0.5) 1.88
Playabets (+1.5) 1.71
Predictions and Odds in details
There are so many great head to head match ups in this game that predicting a winner was always going to be difficult. These teams have the strongest packs in the league and the Tigers in particular have been devastating with their driving maul. This was epitomized when they were awarded a penalty try in injury time against Saracens to win that match.The Saints need their discipline to be excellent or else the Tigers will control the game through the accurate boot of Ford. The overall quality in the Tigers team will see them to a narrow win. There are good odds on the Tigers win but if you looking for a safer bet then I suggest the following handicap bets.The complete odds on the Tigers handicap are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-2.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+0.5) 1.88 and Playabets (+1.5) 1.71
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.
