Northampton Saints vs Bristol Prediction: Saints set for another confidence boost ahead of Dublin date

Northampton made 14 changes for last Friday's 35-34 win at Newcastle but their big guns came off the bench to steer them to a victory that just about keeps their Premiership title defence alive. 

Sitting eighth, they need to win their last four matches to have a chance of finishing in the top four, starting with Saturday's (17:30, TNT Sports 1) fixture against third-placed Bristol Bears. 

The Bears currently occupy third place in the table but have lost their last two games, falling 53-28 at Gloucester before being defeated 36-19 at home by Leicester. 

That Kingsholm defeat was their second Premiership away loss on the bounce but they had previously won a record 10 road matches in a row. 

With Northampton also potentially looking ahead to next weekend's Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster, this appears to be a fantastic opportunity for Bristol to close in on a playoff place. 

However, injuries appear to have caught up with Pat Lam's side and Saints can see them off. 

Northampton Saints vs Bristol Odds

Despite their travails, Northampton have a decent league record at Franklin's Gardens and are 1/3 to record a sixth win from eight games. 

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Number eight Juarno Augustus and half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith all came off the bench at Newcastle and should feature in the starting XV when it is announced on Friday. 

Northampton boss Phil Dowson is expected to revert to a selection similar to the line-up that beat Clermont and Castres in the Champions Cup. 

Captain George Furbank could also make his first start since January after recovering from an arm injury. 

Injuries have beset Bristol this season and they were without 11 players for the defeat to Leicester. 

They did have Gabriel Ibitoye back, though, and the wing made a try-scoring return on his first appearance since January. 

The Bears were also boosted by AJ MacGinty's return and the USA international should continue at fly-half, while Steven Luatua could make his 150th appearance for the club. 

Northampton -11 @ 13/10

Northampton's domestic struggles have certainly not been due to their home form, as they have won five out of seven matches at Franklin's Gardens. 

Remarkably, though, the win at Newcastle was only their first away victory of the season, and their first road success since January 2024. 

Retaining their Premiership title remains a possibility but so does European success and they have a Dublin date with Leinster next Saturday in a repeat of last season's Champions Cup semi-finals. 

A win here would boost morale and Bristol's injuries provide a real opportunity to do so with a bonus point. 

The Bears have been unlucky but having battled through various fitness setbacks on their record away run, and Lam's side looks to be losing momentum. 

Northampton are building impetus and scored a combined 97 points in beating Clermont and Castres at home. 

Defence has been optional at times for the Saints but it is also Bristol's Achilles' heel - their 451 points conceded is the second-worst in the division behind only Newcastle.  

They could score four tries to grab a bonus point but the visitors' lack of defensive ballast hints that a repeat of last season's 33-27 win in this fixture looks unlikely. 

Northampton have lost the last five meetings in all competitions but can end that run and build further confidence ahead of their repeat rendezvous with Leinster. 

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