Sale vs Saracens Prediction: No place like home for the Sharks

Two of the top five in the English Premiership meet on Friday evening, when Sale Sharks and Saracens collide at the Salford Community Stadium (19:45, TNT Sports 1).

Warren Ashurst provides his best bets for Friday’s clash, as well as the essential team news and match odds for the Premiership encounter.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Sale have made just one change to the side that won at Harlequins last time out, which has been forced upon Alex Sanderson.

Jonny Hill misses out due to a head injury suffered last Saturday, so Hyron Andrews will replace him in the second row.

The Sharks are boosted by the return to fitness of Dan du Preez, the South African has recovered from a calf problem and has been named amongst the replacements.

Saracens have made no fewer than five changes to their starting XV from their impressive victory at Leicester last week.

Three of the five changes come in the front row, with Jamie George, Alec Clarey and Rhys Carre stepping up from the bench.

Elsewhere, Hugh Tizard returns to the second row while Olly Hartley comes into the midfield to play alongside Nick Tompkins.

Sale vs Saracens Odds

Sale are 4/6 favourites to take the points in Friday’s encounter, while Saracens are priced at 5/4 to win and can be backed at 20/1.

Sale Sharks -2.5 Handicap @ 10/11

Sale enjoyed a statement victory last week, with a 29-43 victory at Harlequins – a result that saw them move to within two points of second-placed Leicester.

The Sharks have won their last three Premiership games and home advantage could play a big part in a game between two evenly matched teams.

Sale’s only Premiership defeat at Salford Community Stadium since January 2024, came against Bath in Round 11 this season.

Experienced fly-half George Ford will look to pull the strings and the return of Du Preez following injury can only add to the Sale threat.

Saracens’ hope of claiming a big win on the road will be through their usual dominance in the mauls, having claimed almost twice as many turnovers as their opponents.

Mark McCall’s men have a 92% success rate at the maul and the Sharks will have to try and negate the threat of England star Maro Itoje.

First Tryscorer – Tom Roebuck @ 8/1

Friday’s clash will be a memorable one for Tom Roebuck even before a ball is kicked, as he will be making his 100^th appearance for Sale.

The England winger has three tries to his name this season and they have come in recent weeks, including one in last week’s seven-try success at Harlequins.

The other two tries came in the most recent home league fixture, when the north-west outfit defeated Northampton 27-24 at the end of March.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights