Newcastle Falcons vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Tigers too good for improving Falcons

Leicester Tigers lost for the first time under Michael Cheika against Bath last weekend and will be without their new head coach for Saturday's trip to Newcastle Falcons (17:30 kick-off).

Read on for my Newcastle Falcons vs Leicester Tigers predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Cheika has been banned for his alleged "disrespectful" comments towards the match doctor during the opening-round win at Exeter. 

However, while the Tigers will be without their coach on Saturday, they will unlikely leave Kingston Park without the points.

The Falcons have shown signs of recovery after Steve Diamond's summer overhaul but have lost their first two matches.

As has become the case, they have played some nice rugby but have struggled for parity up front and could be mauled by the Cheika-less visitors.

Team News

Captain and number eight Callum Chick will make his 150th appearance for the Falcons, while Ben Redshaw comes in for Adam Radwan on the right wing. 

Redshaw scored a try in last weekend's defeat at Harlequins and replaces Radwan, who has a head knock.

Leicester make three changes from their defeat to Bath. Will Hurd starts at tighthead prop, with Ollie Chessum coming into the second row to captain the team.

Youngster Joseph Woodward will make his debut at the inside centre, while fellow centre Will Wand is also in line for his first appearance after being included on the bench.

Gallagher Premiership Odds

Newcastle are 18/5 to record their first win of the season, with Leicester 1/5 and a tie 25/1.

The Falcons are 20/21 given an 11-point start in the three-way handicap.

Leicester to win by over 12 points @ 10/11

Cheika's predecessor Dan McKellar looked to have Leicester heading in the right direction but things didn't truly click and his fellow Aussie coach feels like an upgrade.

Reported touchline antics aside, Cheika is among the coaching elite and while he might not be at the ground, his team will have a clear gameplan and shouldn't come unstuck.

Chessum's return alongside England colleague George Martin in the second row is a real boost, as is the form of scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet. He was England's starting scrum-half in the summer of 2023 but missed last year's Rugby World Cup through injury and has been working his way back to form since.

The 23-year-old has looked sharp this season as well, scoring a try against Bath, and will exploit any Falcons' indiscipline around the fringes.

Diamond is a resourceful type of coach who will keep finding ways to improve his team and there is genuine hope that after decent showings in defeat to Bristol and Harlequins, the Falcons will be able to go one better than last season by at least winning a league game.

In contrast, after beating Exeter and then pushing old foes Bath, Leicester should be looking towards returning to the top four,

Their rivals will all expect to win at Kingston Park and after suffering successive defeats to Bristol (24-3) and Harlequins (28-14), the Tigers can be the latest team to grab a decent victory against the Falcons.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights