Bath vs Northampton Saints Prediction: Hosts ready to avenge final defeat

The new Gallagher Premiership season kicks off on Friday night (19:45, TNT Sports 1) with a rerun of last June’s final between Bath and Northampton Saints.

Northampton lifted the trophy that day with a 25-21 victory at Twickenham after the teams finished first and second in the regular season, level on 60 points. Read on for my Bath vs Northampton Saints prediction and all the latest team news.

Team News

Bath have seen minimal changes to their squad over the summer and are able to name 11 of the 15 who started the Premiership final in their Friday night line-up. Finn Russell is at fly-half while six of their eight starting forwards have full international caps to their name.

Northampton are missing England scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who picked up an injury in pre-season, so Tom James wears the number nine shirt. Josh Kemeny makes his debut in the back row after signing from Melbourne Rebels while three of the Saints’ forward replacements are in line to make their club debuts from the bench.

Bath vs Northampton Saints Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Bath vs Northampton Saints page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Northampton were 4/7 favourites when the teams met in the Premiership final but those odds have been reversed as hosts Bath look to capitalise on home advantage at the Recreation Ground.

The West Country outfit won nine of their 11 home games last season which included a 43-12 success against Northampton, who are 13/8 to open their campaign with an away victory.

Bath -5.5 @ 4/5

Bath made the Recreation Ground something of a fortress again last season and they can continue their fine home form with an opening victory against Northampton.

Only Saracens and Leicester won at the Rec last season - by three points and one point - and Bath’s seven home wins included a 43-12 rout of an admittedly second-string Northampton side in the final round.

There should be plenty of continuity in the Bath camp after a quiet summer on the transfer front but Northampton have lost some key forwards including Lewis Ludlam and Courtney Lawes and may be on the back foot up front while they are also without injured scrum-half Alex Mitchell.

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