Saracens vs Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction: Visitors’ improvement may be in evidence

Defeat last week at Glasgow means Saracens will travel to Bath in the last 16 of the Champions Cup, but they are back in Prem action on Saturday (15:00 GMT, TNT Sports Extra) when Newcastle Red Bulls visit the StoneX Stadium.

Below are my Saracens vs Newcastle Red Bulls predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

This is the first of two quickfire meetings, with the pair set for a Prem Rugby Cup Pool B rematch next Friday at Kingston Park.

The Red Bulls beat Gloucester 25-19 in the league and then Perpignan 26-19 in the Challenge Cup before losing 35-12 at Dragons in Europe last Friday.

Sarries won 39-17 when the pair met on Tyneside on the opening weekend of the season and also triumphed 43-0 in the Premiership Rugby Cup in November.

However, with Newcastle's optimism growing after announcing more signings for next season this week and steady improvement on the field under Alan Dickens, the Red Bulls may go closer than the markets expect on Saturday.

Team News

Saracens have made nine changes from the defeat at Scotstoun, with captain Maro Itoje sitting out and Owen Farrell, who switches from inside centre to fly-half, taking over the captaincy.

Farrell will play outside exciting young scrum-half Charlie Bracken, while Juan Martin Gonzalez and Max Malins are among those waiting to make an impact from the bench.

Newcastle have made only one change from the defeat at Dragons, Brett Connon returning from injury to start at number 10.

Oli Spencer is on the bench after completing his return to play protocols, and back-rower Reuben Parsons is also included and could make his debut if summoned from the bench.

Saracens vs Newcastle Red Bulls Odds

Saracens are the 1/80 favourites to record a third home league win of the season, with the Red Bulls 14/1 and the draw 28/1.

Sarries were 22-point winners at Kingston Park in the Prem in September, and a repeat 21-25 points victory is 6/1.

They won 43-0 when the pair met in the Premiership Rugby Cup in November, and another home win by 41-45 points is 10/1.

Newcastle +23 @ 13/10

On-field results may still be uninspiring, but Newcastle's owners are making big moves off the field, and excitement is already building for next season.

Sale scrum-half Raffi Quirke confirmed his move to Kingston Park last week and will be joined by All Black Hoskins Sotutu, Exeter pair Josh Hodge and Rusi Tuima, Northampton forwards Sam Graham and Elliot Millar-Mills and Argentina lock Franco Molina.

Kiwi prop Pouri Rakete-Stones' signing was also announced on Friday.

Newcastle's win over Gloucester was their first in the league since 2024, and they are undoubtedly becoming more competitive.

Saracens beat Toulouse 20-14 in their last home game a fortnight ago, but were outclassed 28-3 at Glasgow and are still to truly click this season.

Their 1/80 shows they should win on Saturday, but the markets are giving Newcastle a 27-point start in the three-way handicap market.

They are a better team than the one that lost by 22 points at Kingston Park in the opening round, and the Red Bulls +23, available at 13/10, appeals.

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