Leicester Tigers vs Sale Prediction: Tigers to sink Sharks

The busy schedule of Gallagher Prem action on Saturday concludes at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with Leicester Tigers hosting Sale Sharks (17:30, TNT Sports 1).

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Leicester Tigers vs Sale prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the East Midlands

Team News

The Tigers go with a front row of Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes, with locks Cameron Henderson and skipper Ollie Chessum in the engine room.

Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell start in the back row to complete the pack.

Tom Whiteley and James O’Connor start in the half-backs, with Solomone Kata and Izaia Perese in the centres.

Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward complete the backline for the Tigers.

As for the visitors, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Luke Cowan-Dickie and James Harper start in the front row, with skipper Ernst van Rhyn and Ben Bamber in the second row.

Jacques Vermeulen, Tristan Woodman and Sam Dugdale combine in the back row, with the half-backs consisting of Gus Warr and George Ford.

Rekeiti Ma’asi-White and Rob du Preez pair up in the centres, with the Sharks going for a back three of Tom O’Flaherty, Tom Roebuck and Luke James.

Leicester Tigers vs Sale Odds

Leicester are 4/9 favourites for the win, while Sale are 15/8 to pick up a rare away victory.

A draw at Welford Road is 22/1, while the Tigers to be ahead at both half-time and full-time is currently available at 5/6.

Leicester Tigers -10 handicap @ 7/5

The Tigers earned a statement win over reigning champions Bath at Welford Road last weekend and they will be looking to back up that performance with a victory against Sale on Saturday.

Showing they can go toe-to-toe and beat the reigning Gallagher Prem champions was a feather in the cap for the Tigers, who next face a Sharks side who struggle away from home.

Losing all of their last three away games in the Prem, including a 21-16 defeat at Leicester at the end of last season, Sale have found it difficult to replicate their home performances on the road.

Welford Road is a tough place to win at the best of times and it’s hard to see Sale turning things round on their travels to claim a scalp at the home of the Tigers.

O’Connor put in a great display against Bath and the Australia international seems to be settling in well to his new surroundings at Leicester.

Capable of creating tries from all over the park, while also having a strong kicking game, expect O’Connor to play an important role.

Leicester have won their last two home games against Sale and the Tigers are backed to make it three on the bounce this weekend, while also covering the handicap in the process.

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