Northampton Saints vs Bristol Prediction: Bears to feel Saints backlash

Northampton Saints will be looking to bounce back from their East Midlands derby humbling on Friday night (19:45, TNT Sports 1) when they host Bristol Bears at Franklin's Gardens.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Northampton Saints vs Bristol Bears prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the East Midlands.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Northampton have gone with Emmanuel Iyogun, Robbie Smith and Elliot Millar Mills in the front row, with locks Alex Coles and Ed Prowse in the second row.

Josh Kemeny, Henry Pollock and Callum Chick complete the pack, with Archie McParland joining Fin Smith in the half-backs.

Rory Hutchinson and Tom Litchfield combine in the centres, with George Hendy, Tommy Freeman and skipper George Furbank in the back three.

As for the visitors, Ellis Genge, Harry Thacker and George Kloska start in the front row, with second-rowers James Dun and Joe Batley in behind.

Joe Owen, skipper Fitz Harding and Santiago Grondona form the back three, with Harry Randall and Tom Jordan in the half-backs.

James Williams and Benhard Janse van Rensburg pair up in the centres, while Bristol go with a back three of Kalaveti Ravouvou, Louis Rees-Zammit and Rich Lane.

Northampton Saints vs Bristol Odds

Northampton are the heavy favourites at 2/9 for the win, while Bristol are 7/2 to head back to the West Country with the victory. A draw at The Gardens is currently available at 20/1.

Northampton Saints -14 handicap @ 11/10

Saints boss Phil Dowson has rung the changes on the back of Northampton's sorry performance at Welford Road last weekend.

Losing 41-17 to arch-rivals Leicester Tigers in the East Midlands derby, in a game in which Northampton were shown three yellow cards, Saints looked well off the pace.

Bringing in the likes of Pollock, McParland and Litchfield should bring a freshness to this Saints' side as they prepare to face a Bristol outfit who suffered a 41-26 home defeat against Saracens last time out.

The Bears have tended to struggle away from the home comforts of Ashton Gate and they might well be on the end of a Saints backlash on Friday night.

Pat Lam's Bears have lost three of their last four away games in all competitions, while they have also been beaten in three of their last four visits to Franklin's Gardens.

Former Saints captain Lam will have countless fond memories of The Gardens, but it looks unlikely the Samoan will head back to the West Country with a smile on his face.

Northampton have won all of their last six home games in the Gallagher Prem and the Black, Green & Golds are backed to secure the victory and cover the handicap on Friday night and put to bed that performance in the East Midlands derby.

Rugby Union betting tips with Betfred Insights.