Sale vs Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction: Sharks to take a bite out of Red Bulls

It’s been a tough start to the Gallagher Prem for the Newcastle Red Bulls and things won’t get any easier for the north-east outfit on Friday night (19:45, TNT Sports 1) when they head to CorpAcq Stadium to face the Sale Sharks.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Sale vs Newcastle Red Bulls prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Salford.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, the Sharks go with a front row consisting of Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour.

Ben Bamber and Hyron Andrews start in the second row, with skipper Ernst van Rhyn, Tristan Woodman and Sam Dugdale completing the pack.

Gus Warr and George Ford combine in the half-backs, with Marius Louw and Rob du Preez in the centres.

The Sharks go with a back three of Arron Reed, Tom Roebuck and Joe Carpenter.

As for the Red Bulls, Adam Brocklebank, skipper George McGuigan and Richard Palframan start at the coalface in the front row.

Jamie Hodgson and Freddie Clarke start as the locks, with a back row of Fergus Lee-Warner, Tom Gordon and Amanaki Mafi.

James Elliott and Boeta Chamberlain are the half-back pairing, with Max Clark and Connor Doherty getting the green light in the centres.

Alex Hearle, Elliott Obatoyinbo and Ethan Grayson form the back three for the visitors.

Sale vs Newcastle Red Bulls Odds

Sale are the overwhelming favourites for the victory at 1/28, while the Red Bulls are 10/1 to cause a major upset and head back to Newcastle with the spoils.

A draw at CorpAcq Stadium is available at 28/1, while the Sharks to win by over 12 points is currently 1/3.

Sale -23 handicap @ 6/5

While there has been excitement and intrigue regarding the takeover at Newcastle by Red Bull, the new ownership can’t simply wave a magic wand and turn this side into play-off contenders.

Newcastle have landed some big names, with the likes of Liam Williams and Christian Wade joining the club but neither will feature on Friday.

The Red Bulls suffered a 39-17 defeat in their opening game at home to Saracens, before a 38-15 loss at Exeter Chiefs last week.

Winning 17 of their last 19 home games in all competitions, the Sharks are formidable opposition on their own patch and the Red Bulls are heading into dangerous waters at CorpAcq Stadium.

Sale earned a 39-15 win at Newcastle the last time these sides met in the Gallagher Prem in March and the Sharks to overcome a -23 handicap again, in Salford this time, appeals for this showdown.

Click here for the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights