Munster vs Saracens Prediction: Visitors can take Thomond Park

Munster and Saracens meet at Thomond Park on Saturday in the Champions Cup aiming to boost their hopes of making the round of 16.

Read on for my Munster vs Saracens prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

European Championship Cup Odds

The hosts, two-time winners, haven't played since losing 28-7 to Leinster on December 27th and start the round third in Pool 3 after beating Stade Francais 33-7 and then losing 16-14 at Castres.

Saracens, who are second and who have been European champions on three occasions, beat the Bulls 27-5 in the opening round and then defeated Stade 28-17 in Paris.

They travel to Limerick after beating Bristol 35-26 and can continue their form against their injury-hit hosts.

Team News

Munster have made three alterations to the team that lost to Leinster. Flanker Jack O'Donoghue starts, while Conor Murray and Jack Crowley return to steer the side from the half-back positions.

The hosts are still without several of their stars, including skipper Peter O'Mahony, who has a calf injury.

Sarries have made two changes from their win over Bristol, with loosehead prop Phil Brantingham coming into the front row in place of Rhys Carre, who has a back injury, while Liam Williams starts on the right wing in place of Rotimi Segun.

Captain Maro Itoje will make his 50th Champions Cup appearance, while fellow lock Max Eke and back-rower Nathan Michelow could make their European debuts after being named on the bench.

Match Odds

Munster are 4/5 to win on Saturday, with Saracens 11/10 and the tie 20/1.

The three-way handicap is set at two points, with the hosts 10/11 carrying that deficit.

Saracens to win @ 11/10

Saracens' squad underwent a significant summer overhaul, losing several members of the teams that helped them win their European titles in 2016, 2017, and 2019.

However, those left behind have stepped up and the board also seems to have recruited shrewdly.

Fly-half Fergus Burke has excelled in guiding his team around the field after Owen Farrell's departure, but he has also been aided by a dynamic pack led by hooker Jamie George, captain Itoje and in-form number eight Tom Willis.

George made his 300th appearance for the club against Bristol and, while he failed to score a try, his European record is exemplary.

He touched down in each of his club's pre-Christmas European matches, on both occasions controlling the ball at the back of mauls and bundling over.

That plan may be repeated in a bid to silence the home crowd by dominating possession and laying the platform for Burke and his fellow backs to pursue a try-bonus point.

Scoring four tries might be a luxury and they will prioritise the win, which might be enough to guarantee a home tie in the last 16.

Munster have lost some of their lustre in recent seasons and are enduring a difficult campaign, however, they are always dangerous under the lights at Thomond Park.

Injuries are clearly impacting their season and even with the crowd behind them, the 2006 and 2008 European champions may not have enough against Mark McCall's improving side.

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