Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction: Hosts to run riot

Leicester Tigers will look to continue their title charge on Saturday in the Gallagher Prem when they face Newcastle Red Bulls at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (15:00 KO, TNT Sports Extra/HBO Max).

The Tigers occupy third ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures, having won nine of their 12 games to date. They are only six points behind league leaders Northampton Saints, but the same cannot be said of Newcastle. Stephen Jones' troops have won one game all season and they remain rooted to the bottom of the table on seven points.

Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Red Bulls Odds

Due to the contrasting fortunes of both clubs, Leicester are as short as 1/66 to win. The draw is 33/1, while Newcastle are considered 12/1 outsiders.

The hosts have been made 5/6 favourites to cover the -25 handicap, while  Newcastle are 8/13 to cover the +29 line.

Team News

Leicester captain Ollie Chessum returns to the line-up for Saturday's game in what will be his 50th start in the Prem. Cameron Henderson is also back in the starting XV after recovering from injury, while props Nicky Smith and Joe Heyes replace Archie van der Flier and Will Hurd.

George Martin is back in the squad and should make his first appearance for the club after a long-term injury. Billy Searle also returns to the starting XV to partner Jack van Poortvliet in the half-backs.

Newcastle have made six changes to their starting XV, with Josh Hodge starting at full-back. Ben Healy and James Elliott are also handed starts in the halves. Captain George McGuigan misses out, and he is replaced by Ollie Fletcher.

Micky Rewcastle makes his first start in the league at loose-head prop, while Adam Scott is back in at second row.

Leicester Tigers -25 @ 5/6

Leicester were humbled on their travels last week in the European Champions Cup, as they lost 64-14 to Bordeaux Begles.

After exiting that competition, the Tigers will put all their eggs in the Prem basket and this looks like the perfect fixture to return to winning ways.

Leicester have won eight games in a row at home and they have scored 33 points or more in four consecutive matches in front of their own supporters.

Newcastle's losing run stands at nine matches, but to their credit, they have produced some spirited displays in recent weeks. They only lost by eight to Stade Rochelais in the Challenge Cup last time out, while they were narrowly edged out by Prem leaders Northampton 28-27 last month.

However, Leicester's better players are returning to action this week and their home form is too good to ignore. Newcastle have looked a level below their Prem rivals this season and that trend should continue.

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