Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints Prediction: Saints to snatch spoils on derby day

It doesn’t get much bigger in the Gallagher Prem than the East Midlands derby, as Leicester Tigers prepare to host arch-rivals Northampton Saints on Saturday (3.05pm, ITV4) at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in the heartland of English rugby.

Team news

Starting with the Tigers, Leicester go with a front row of Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes, with skipper Ollie Chessum and George Martin in behind.

Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Joaquin Moro complete the pack, while the Tigers have Jack van Poortvliet and James O'Connor in the half-backs.

Orlando Bailey and Will Wand combine in the centres, while Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward form the back three for the hosts.

As for the visitors, Northampton have a front row of Emmanuel Iyogun, Robbie Smith and Luke Green, with Tom Lockett and JJ Van Der Mescht in the second row.

Josh Kemeny, Sam Graham and Callum Chick form the back row, while England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith start in the 9 and 10 jerseys.

Fraser Dingwall and Rory Hutchinson pair up in the centres, while Northampton boast a back three of George Hendy, Tommy Freeman and skipper George Furbank.

Leicester vs Northampton Odds

Leicester are the favourites to come out on top on home soil at 4/5, while the Saints are 6/5 to make the short trip back to Northampton with the bragging rights.

A draw at Welford Road is 14/1, while Saints with a -1 handicap are available at 5/4.

Northampton Saints @ 11/10

While Leicester saw their five-game winning run in the Gallagher Prem brought to an end with a 19-15 defeat at Saracens last time out, Northampton will take winning momentum into Saturday’s East Midlands derby.

Earning an impressive 35-28 win over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Northampton went on to secure a taste of revenge against a Bath side who had only recently knocked them out of the European Rugby Champions Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Beating the Blue, Black & Whites 41-38 at Franklin’s Gardens last time out, Phil Dowson’s Saints will be full of confidence ahead of their trip to Welford Road.

Northampton boast one of the best backlines in club rugby and England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will marshal the Saints around the field on Saturday.

With finishers like Freeman, Hendy and Furbank in the back field, the Saints have the attacking rugby that is capable of putting the Tigers to the sword.

Northampton earned a 32-26 win over Leicester when these sides last met in the Gallagher Prem in October at Franklin’s Gardens and the Saints can complete the league double over their arch-rivals this weekend.

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