Leicester Tigers vs Sharks Prediction: Tigers can maul toothless Sharks

Leicester Tigers will fancy their chances of chalking up their first win of the European Champions Cup season on Saturday evening (5.30pm, Premier Sports 2) when they host a second-string Sharks side at Welford Road.

Alex Jack provides his best bets for Leicester Tigers vs Sharks as well as all the important team news and match odds.

Team news

Starting with the hosts, skipper Julian Montoya makes a return at hooker in a front-row that includes Nicky Smith and Joe Heyes.

Locks Harry Wells and George Martin are in the engine room, while Handro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell make up the back-row.

Handre Pollard returns at fly-half to partner Jack van Poortvliet in the half-backs, while Solomone Kata and Izaia Perese start in the centres.

There’s quality in the back-three, with Ollie Hassell-Collins, Josh Bassett and Freddie Steward all starting from the off.

As has been the case with some South African teams in the European Champions, the Sharks have decided to send what is essentially a 2nd XV for the long trip to England.

Citing the workload of their 39-21 win against Exeter Chiefs last time out as one of the seasons for the changes, the Sharks have also issued a long list of unavailable players.

It includes Bongi Mbonambi, Braam Reyneke, Eben Etzebeth, Fez Mbatha, Gerbrandt Grobler, Grant Williams, James Venter, Jurenzo Julius, Khwezi Mona, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Marnus Potgieter, Ruan Dreyer, Vincent Koch and Vincent Tshituka.

Hooker Trevor Nyakane, Emile Van Heerden and Manu Tshituka are the only forwards to retain their places from the Exeter game, while in the backs only Ethan Hooker and Eduan Keyter keep their spots.

Match odds, Leicester Tigers vs Sharks

Leicester are the 1/8 favourites to claim the win in the East Midlands, with the Sharks at 11/2 to cause an upset and head back to South Africa with the victory.

A draw at Welford Road on Saturday is currently at odds of 25/1.

Leicester Tigers 18 handicap @ 11/10

Given the selection head coach John Plumtree has gone with, it’s clear the Sharks are prioritising their all-South African crunch matches against the Bulls and the Stormers before the end of the year.

While this game does give an opportunity for some fringe players to impress, it’s hard to not feel like these players are being sent to England simply to fulfil the fixture.

The Tigers look to be taking this game much more seriously and head coach Michael Cheika will be determined to see his side get back to winning ways after a 42-28 defeat away at the Bordeaux Begles.

With experienced international returning in the forwards and Springboks fly-half Pollard pulling the strings, Leicester look capable of not only winning but overcoming the substantial -18 handicap here.

Rugby Union Betting Tips, from Betfred Insights.