Leicester Tigers vs Saracens Prediction: Tigers can show their claws

Saturday afternoon throws up an intriguing battle between two of England’s heavyweights, as Leicester Tigers prepare to host Saracens at Welford Road.

Both teams are contenders for the Premiership crown this season and the weekend’s clash in the East Midlands will provide a good acid test to see where these sides are at, before the international stars leave for Six Nations duty later this month.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, head coach Dan McKellar has named his first unchanged starting side of the season after what was an impressive victory over Bath last time out.

There is one change on the bench, with former England scrum-half Ben Youngs recovering from injury to take his place amongst the substitutes.

It’s a landmark game this weekend for skipper Julian Montoya, who makes his 50th appearance for the Tigers on Saturday.

Mike Brown, fresh from signing fresh terms with the Tigers this week, starts on the left wing, while Freddie Steward retains his place at full-back.

As for the visitors, Saracens have made a host of changes after a regulation win over Newcastle Falcons last time out.

Loosehead prop Sam Crean makes his first start of the season, while Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard make up the second-row.

Owen Farrell returns at fly-half and will play outside Gareth Simpson, who gets a start after some impressive performances off the bench.

Nick Tompkins is back in the centres alongside Elliot Daly, while the back three is made up of Lucio Cinti, Rotimi Segun and Tom Parton.

Match Odds

Leicester are the favourites to claim the victory at 8/11 in the match winner market, while Saracens are 11/10 to head back to the capital with the win.

A tie on Saturday is currently available at 22/1, while Leicester are 5/6 to be leading at the half-time whistle.

Leicester Tigers -5.5 Handicap @ 6/5

Winning all of their last four home games, Welford Road has once again become a fortress for the Tigers.

The recent record between Leicester and Saracens has been pretty even, with both teams winning two of their last four encounters.

Sarries ran out 32-17 winners when these sides met earlier this season but that was at StoneX Stadium and Leicester will be a different prospect backed by their home crowd.

The Tigers have been excellent at home and really impressed in their New Year’s Eve victory over fellow title contenders Bath with a 35-22 victory.

Saturday’s battle between South Africa fly-half Hendre Pollard and England’s Farrell is certainly one to keep an eye on here.

The pair faced off in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals and, like then, Pollard might be the one left smiling come the full-time whistle this weekend.

Leicester have shown they are capable of racking up the points at Welford Road and they look capable of falling on the right side of a -5.5 handicap, something they are 6/5 to achieve on Saturday.

Check out the rest of our Rugby Union Betting Tips here.