Northampton Saints vs Harlequins Prediction: Not much for Quins to smile about

Northampton Saints will look to add to Harlequins' recent woes on Saturday (17:30, TNT Sports 1) when these two sides clash in the Gallagher Prem at Franklin’s Gardens.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Northampton Saints vs Harlequins prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in the East Midlands.

Northampton Saints vs Harlequins Odds

Northampton are the overwhelming 1/20 favourites to secure the win on Saturday, while Harlequins are the 9/1 underdogs to cause a major shock at Franklin's Gardens. A draw in this clash in the East Midlands is 25/1.

Team News

Northampton start with Danilo Fischetti, Robbie Smith and Elliot Millar Mills, with locks Alex Coles and JJ Van Der Mescht in the engine room.

Josh Kemeny, Tom Pearson and Callum Chick form the back row, with England duo Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith in the half-backs.

Skipper Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman start as the centres, with James Ramm, Edoardo Todaro and George Hendy in the back three.

As for Quins, the visitors start with Will Hobson, George Turner and Harry Williams in the front row, while Guido Petti Pagadizábal and Kieran Treadwell start in the second row.

Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham and Alex Dombrandt complete the pack, while Lucas Friday starts in the half-backs with Marcus Smith.

Jarrod Evans and Luke Northmore are the centre partnership, while Cassius Cleaves, Rodrigo Isgró and Nick David are the starting back three for the Quarters.

Northampton Saints -21 handicap @ 1/1

Having produced an outstanding second-half performance to beat reigning Gallagher Prem champions Bath in their last outing, Saints will be on a real high going into this one.

Drawing 14-14 with Bath at half-time, Northampton blew away the Blue, Black and Whites in the second 40 to win 41-21 in the West Country.

While Saints will march into this game brimming with confidence on the back of a four-game winning streak in all competitions, Quins are hoping to avoid a third-straight defeat in the Prem.

Losing seven of their last eight games in all competitions, it's been a tough spell for the London outfit and a trip to Franklin's Gardens is not ideal.

What has been the main issue for Quins has been their defence, with 83 points conceded in their last two Prem games against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks.

That porous Harlequins defence, coming up against a Northampton backline that's packed full of England internationals, makes for a tough evening in store for the Quarters.

The -21 handicap might look sizeable for Northampton but, with their electric backs and the kicking of Fin Smith from the tee, Saints can overcome the spread in what should be an entertaining game at The Gardens.

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