Northampton Saints vs Saracens Prediction: Saints to edge top-two tussle

Some of the Gallagher Prem’s most exciting players will be on show on Friday night (19:45 BST, TNT Sports 1) as table-toppers Northampton Saints host second-placed Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens.

Below are my Northampton Saints vs Saracens predictions piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the East Midlands.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Northampton have opted for a front row of Danilo Fischetti, Robbie Smith and Trevor Davison, while Tom Lockett and JJ van der Mescht start in the second row.

Alex Coles, Tom Pearson and Henry Pollock make up the back row, while the England pair of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith start in the half-backs.

Fraser Dingwall will make his 150th appearance for Saints in a centre partnership with Rory Hutchinson, while Edoardo Todaro, Tommy Freeman and George Hendy start in the back three.

As for the visitors, Saracens go with Eroni Mawi, Theo Dan and Marco Riccioni in the front row, with locks Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard in the engine room.

Juan Martin Gonzalez, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Tom Willis start in the back row, with Charlie Bracken and Fergus Burke in the half-backs. Owen Farrell and Nick Tompkins start in the centres, while Sarries go with an exciting back three of Jack Bracken, Noah Caluori and Max Malins.

Northampton Saints vs Saracens Odds

Northampton are the 8/13 favourites to claim the win on Friday, while Saracens are 7/5 to head back to the capital with a victory.

A draw at Franklin’s Gardens is available at 20/1, while Sarries to be leading at the half-time whistle is currently 5/4.

Northampton Saints -3 handicap @ 20/21

Having lost each of their last five away games at Northampton in all competitions, Franklin’s Gardens has certainly not been a happy hunting ground for the Saracens in recent years.

Saints boast four British & Irish Lions stars in their starting lineup, with Pollock in the forwards and Mitchell, Smith and Freeman looking to shine in the back division.

Also, keep an eye on the two 19-year-old wingers, one on either side, with Northampton’s Edoardo Todaro and Noah Caluori of Saracens both having the potential to dazzle in this game.

Experience in key positions might just make the difference, and Northampton are backed to maintain their unbeaten start to the Prem campaign by beating Sarries and covering the handicap.

Double Result - Northampton Saints/Northampton Saints @ 11/10

Scoring two tries in the opening seven minutes of their last outing at Newcastle last weekend, Northampton will be eyeing another fast start on Friday night.

Saracens will provide a much more difficult test than the one offered by the Red Bulls, but Northampton have the ability to hit the ground running in this match as they look to get the crowd going at The Gardens.

With that in mind, Saints to be leading at half-time and full-time gets the nod.

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