Northampton Saints vs Saracens
Its semi-final time in the Gallagher Premiership as the Saints welcome Saracens to Franklin Gardens. The home team topped the table during the league phase and looked the best team for much of the season. The visitors will be keen to make the Twickenham final and defend their crown especially as club legend Owen Farrell is leaving at the end of the season. The Saints will be weary of this Saracens team even though they beat them home and away in the league phase. The home side have been playing scintillating rugby and have been scoring tries for fun but it will be interesting to see if they continue with that style in this match.
TIP: The Saints have always been a great attacking team but this season their defence has been the reason they finished top of the table. They will know that Saracens will be a different beast when it comes to knockout rugby as they have won the title five times in the last ten years. The home side have not won the title in ten years and will want to give their club legend Courtney Lawes a winning send off. The bookies have the Saints as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.60, SoccerShop 1.60 and Bettabets 1.60
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Northampton Saints vs Saracens
- Saracens have won just one of the last four matches between the sides.
- Saints have beaten Saracens home and away this season.
Latest results for both teams
The Saints lost 43-12 to Bath in their last match while Saracens lost 20-10 to the Sale Sharks in their last match.
PREDICTION
Both teams are very evenly matched in the forwards but the home team have the definite advantage in the backline. The Saints will be looking to their halfback pairing to link up their backline that includes the likes of George Furbank, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme. If the pacy trio can get ball in space then Saracens could be chasing shadows. There are a number of personal match ups but Owen Farrell up against the young Finn Smith could be the highlight of the match. If the younger of the two tens can win the head to head battle, then Saints will win the match. I am predicting a home win by 8 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Northampton Saints
15 George Furbank, 14 George Hendy, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 6 Courtney Lawes (c), 5 Alex Coles, 4 Alex Moon, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Alex Waller
Saracens
15 Elliot Daly, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Tom Parton, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Saints victory are as follows:
Tictacbets 1.60
SoccerShop 1.60
Bettabets 1.60
Odds comparison on the Saints handicap:
The complete odds on the Saints handicap:
Tictacbets 1.90 (-3.5)
SoccerShop 1.87 (-3.5)
Bettabets 1.89 (-3.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Saints outright win therefore we suggest backing the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.90 (-3.5), SoccerShop 1.87 (-3.5) and Bettabets 1.89 (-3.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Waratahs vs Reds
Force vs Brumbies
Stormers vs Lions
Scarlets vs Dragons
Cardiff vs Ospreys
Bath vs Sale Sharks
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.
