Stade Francais vs Northampton Saints Prediction: Saints can march on to victory

Following a thrilling win over Gallagher Premiership leaders Bath last weekend, Northampton Saints will look to continue their perfect start to their European Rugby Champions Cup bid when they take on Stade Francais in Paris on Saturday (17:30, Premier Sports 2).

Alex Jack delivers his best bet for the clash in the French capital, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the big game in his Stade Francais vs Northampton Saints prediction.

Team News

Stade Francais have named a front three of Moses Alo-Emile, Giacomo Nicotera and Francisco Gomez Kodela to face Northampton and Paul Gabrillagues and JJ van der Mescht in the second row.

Tanginoa Halaifonua, Yoan Tanga and Romain Briatte make up the hosts' back row while Louis Foursans-Bourdette and Zack Henry are the French outfit's half-backs.

Julien Delbouis and Samuel Ezeala start in the centres for Stade, for whom Lester Etien, Peniasi Dakuwaqa and Joe Jones fill the back three positions.

Aussie import Josh Kemeny has been handed the captain's armband in his first Champions Cup game for Northampton.

Kemeny plays in the Saints' back row alongside Angus Scott-Young and Henry Pollock. Tarek Haffar, Henry Walker, Trevor Davison, Ed Prowse and Tom Lockett complete the visiting pack.

England internationals Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will call the shots for the Saints in the halves, while Tom Litchfield will make his 50th appearance for the club alongside Rory Hutchinson in the centres.

Tom Seabrook, Tommy Freeman and James Ramm complete a formidable Saints back division.

Stade Francais vs Northampton Saints Odds

Northampton are 4/7 favourites to leave Paris with victory, giving the visitors an implied win probability of 63.6%, while Stade Francais are 6/4 shots to chalk up their first Champions Cup win of the season.

The draw in the French capital is available at 18/1.

Northampton Saints -7 handicap @ 11/8

Northampton should head to Paris on Saturday with renewed confidence after beating Bath 35-34 last weekend in a repeat of last season's Premiership Grand Final.

That said, the Saints will know there are areas to improve on as they almost squandered a 19-point lead against the Premiership leaders at Franklin's Gardens.

However, winning is all that matters, especially in the pool stage of the Champions Cup, and Saints have been very good at getting over the line this season.

The English champions beat French side Castres 38-8 in their opening European outing of the season, and they had the rest of the competition sitting up and taking notice with a 30-21 victory away to the Bulls in their following Champions Cup encounter.

Loftus Versfeld is a formidable place to visit for any side, so for the Saints to make the long trip to South Africa and win is a huge feather in their cap. It should also mean that this weekend's trip to the Stade Jean Bouin holds no trepidation for them.

Stade Francais are not the force of old, with only Vannes beneath them in this season's Top 14 standings, and Saints, who boast one of the best backlines in Europe, could deliver another statement of their continental ambitions in Paris.

Click the link for all the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights