Harlequins vs Northampton Saints: Away side target spoils

Before what is set to be a thrilling weekend of Six Nations action, there’s Prem Rugby Cup action to take in on Friday night (19:45, Sky Sports+), as Harlequins host Northampton Saints at the Twickenham Stoop.

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

Team news

Starting with Harlequins, the hosts have Ethan Clarke, skipper Jack Musk and Luke Yendle in the front row, with locks Harry Browne and Jonny Green in behind.

Oisín McCormack, Tom Lawday and Zach Carr complete the pack, while Max Green and Jamie Benson combine in the half-backs.

Sean Kerr and Ludo Kolade are the centre pairing, while Cassius Cleaves, Cameron Anderson and Josh Bellamy form the back three.

As for Northampton, the visitors start with Oliver Scola, Henry Walker and Cleopas Kundiona in the front row, with locks Ed Prowse and Tom Lockett in the engine room.

Archie Benson, Charlie Ulcoq and skipper Sam Graham start in the back row to complete the pack, with Archie McParland and James Pater starting in the half-backs.

Toby Thame and Billy Pasco are the starting centres for Saints, who go with a back three of Amena Caqusau, Ollie Sleightholme and James Martin.

Harlequins vs Northampton Saints Odds

Harlequins are the 8/11 to secure the win on Saturday, while Leicester are 11/10 to head back to the East Midlands with the victory. A draw at The Stoop is currently available at 22/1.

His leadership and ability at the breakdown will help Leicester with much of the unseen work, which will allow their backs the chance to do some damage out wide.

Harlequins' defence has been a major cause for concern, with only rock-bottom Newcastle Red Bulls conceding more points in the Prem this season.

Conceding an average of 35.2 points per game makes it extremely tough to win games in the Prem, and it's hard to see Quins getting anything out of Saturday’s game.

Leicester should win the battle up front and, with an improving backline and threats from off the bench, the Tigers are backed to win and cover the handicap this weekend at The Stoop.

Northampton Saints -11 handicap @ 10/11

Sitting rock bottom of Pool B in the Prem Rugby Cup, going into this Friday night game in the capital, Quins have overall shown a lack of strength in depth to be competitive in this competition.

Harlequins did manage to cause an upset by Saracens in their last game in this competition, however, they nearly squandered a 33-14 lead at half-time when winning 43-40 at the full-time whistle at StoneX Stadium.

Northampton do have superior strength in depth, which means they are capable of fielding the likes of Graham, Lockett and Sleightholme in their starting XV on Friday night.

Saints managed to earn a 26-17 win over Quins when these sides met in the East Midlands at Franklin’s Gardens earlier this season in this competition, which bodes well ahead of their trip south this week.

Northampton earned an impressive 40-22 win over arch rivals Leicester Tigers in their last outing at The Gardens in this competition and that too will give them confidence going into this fixture against a Quins side largely lacking in experience.

Saints, who would move above Saracens into second in the Pool B table with victory in this game, look to be great value to claim the win and cover the handicap at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night.

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