Northampton Saints vs Bath Prediction: Saints set to run riot

Premiership leaders Northampton Saints host second-placed Bath on Saturday (17:30 BST, TNT Sports 2), but their contrasting team selections mean this is unlikely to be a dress rehearsal for the play-offs.

Below are my Northampton Saints vs Bath prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

The Saints beat Bath to win the 2024 Grand Final before the Blue, Black and White returned to Twickenham last year to take the title by defeating Leicester.

Their upward curve has continued and they outlasted Northampton 43-41 a fortnight ago to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Cup.

Bath will face holders Bordeaux-Begles next Sunday and Johann van Graan has decided to use Saturday's match to rest his big names.

By contrast, Northampton have selected a hugely talented team who could light up Franklin's Gardens and take another step towards qualifying for a home play-off.

Northampton Saints vs Bath Odds

Northampton are 1/6 to complete a league double over Bath, who are 9/2 and the draw is 18/1.

Team News

Northampton captain George Furbank is absent as he goes through concussion protocols.

Tommy Freeman comes into the side on the right wing, so George Hendy drops back to fill Furbank's 15 shirt.

Up front, Luke Green has recovered from an injury and will run on at tighthead prop, while Henry Pollock is included at number eight.

While Saints have made only three changes, Bath have named wholesale alterations as they plan for next Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final in Bordeaux.

Captain Ben Spencer and fly-half Finn Russell are among those given the afternoon off, with Miles Read selected to captain the team from openside flanker.

Northampton Saints -20 handicap @ 13/10

Bath's decision to rotate makes it tough to gauge much from their recent form but Northampton have gone with their strongest available team and have won their last eight at home in all competitions.

They also beat Bath 41-21 away in December and have won the last five meetings at Franklin's Gardens, so all the information we have suggests a home win.

A look at the two line-ups points towards a heavy home success as well and another 20-point victory is hardly out of the question.

The three-way handicap mark is 10/11 and set at 16 points, so pushing to Northampton -20 looks well worth it.

Henry Pollock anytime tryscorer @ 5/6

Pollock's inclusion is notable due to his public profile but, for all his doubters, he is producing the goods on the field.

The 21-year-old has scored three tries in this season's two head-to-heads, and also dotted down in last weekend's win at Exeter.

Picked at number eight, expect him to roam in the wide channels and add another score to his season's tally.

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