Northampton Saints vs Munster Prediction: Saints to wrap up top spot

Looking to secure top spot in Pool 3 and guarantee a home game in the last 16, Northampton Saints will be going all out to overcome Munster when they meet at Franklin’s Gardens in the European Rugby Champions Cup on Saturday (15:15, Premier Sports 2).

Alex Jack delivers his best bet for the clash in the East Midlands, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the big game in his Northampton Saints vs Munster prediction.

Team News

Starting with Northampton, Saints have no fresh injury concerns, but could welcome back England winger Ollie Sleightholme after his recent hamstring injury.

Skipper George Furbank remains on the sidelines with a fractured arm and faces a race against time to feature for England in the upcoming Six Nations.

Rugby Union Odds

As for the visitors, Munster welcomed Conor Murray, Jack O'Donoghue, and Diarmuid Barron back from the treatment room last time out in their 17-12 win at home to Saracens.

All three came through the encounter unscathed and are set to feature at The Gardens for this one.

The game against Sarries came too soon for veteran back-rower Peter O’Mahony due to a calf issue, but he is in contention for Saturday’s trip to the East Midlands.

Northampton Saints vs Munster Odds

Northampton Saints are the 3/10 heavy favourites to come out on top at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend, implying a win probability of 76.9%, while Munster are 13/5, or a 27.8% chance, to head back across the Irish Sea with the victory.

A draw on Saturday is available at odds of 20/1.

Northampton Saints -11 handicap @ 6/4

Northampton were the team who knocked Munster out of the Champions Cup last season, recording a 24-14 win in a thrilling game at Franklin’s Gardens.

Winning by 10 points in that game, Saints can go slightly better and over the -11 handicap on offer for this weekend’s showdown between two former European champions.

Saints, along with beating Munster in the final of this competition back in 2000, have now bested the province both home and away in their last two meetings.

Thankfully for the hosts and their talented backline, it’s all set to be dry conditions in Northampton on Saturday, which will allow Saints to chuck the ball around and offload in their traditional attacking style of play.

Munster’s forwards will try and turn this one into an arm-wrestle, but Phil Dowson’s Northampton have the street smarts to avoid such trappings.

Looking to make it three wins on the spin against the Red Army and backed by a full house at Franklin’s Gardens, expect Saints to secure that home tie in the last 16 and cover the handicap in the process against a Munster side who have lost five of their last six away games in all competitions.

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