Leicester Tigers vs Ulster Prediction: Tigers to add to Ulster’s woes

Ulster conceded over 100 points in losing their opening two Champions Cup matches last month and things won’t get any easier for the Irish province when they head to Leicester on Saturday night (Premier Sports 2, 20:00). 

Alex Jack delivers his best bet for Saturday's showdown at Welford Road as well as all the essential team news and match odds. 

Rugby Union Odds

Team News 

Full-back Freddie Steward is set to make his 100th appearance for Leicester in a Tigers back three that also includes Ollie Hassell-Collins and Josh Bassett. 

Izaia Perese and Solomone Kata combine in the centres while Jack van Poortvliet and Handre Pollard are tasked with pulling the strings at half-back. 

Nicky Smith, Julian Montoya and Joe Heyes start in the front row, with Cameron Henderson and Jed Holloway in the engine room. The Leicester pack is completed by Finn Carnduff, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell in the back row. 

Andrew Warwick, John Andrew and Scott Wilson form Ulster's front three with locks Ian Henderson and Cormac Izuchukwu in behind. Jack McNabney, Nick Timoney and David McCann are at the base of the Ulster scrum. 

Nathan Doak and Aidan Morgan start in the halves for Ulster, who have named Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson in the centres, Zac Ward and Werner Kok on the wings and Ethan McIlroy at full-back. 

Leicester Tigers vs Ulster Odds

Leicester Tigers are heavy favourites to come out on top in the East Midlands at 1/14 for victory, while Ulster are 8/1 to head back across the Irish Sea with the points. 

The draw is currently available at odds of 25/1. 

Leicester Tigers -18 handicap @ 6/5

Looking at Michael Cheika's selection, it's clear the Leicester head coach is throwing everything at this game and the Tigers look capable of putting Ulster to the sword. 

The Tigers have won one and lost one of their Champions Cup games this season and can give their chances of reaching the knockout stages a significant boost with a home victory on Saturday night. 

Ulster beat Connacht 17-7 in the United Rugby Championship last time out but they have generally been in poor form recently. 

Ulster had lost five games on the spin prior to that victory in Galway and defence has been a particular issue for the Irish side this season, especially in the Champions Cup. 

After losing 61-21 at Toulouse in their opening pool game, Ulster were then thumped 40-19 at home by Top 14 leaders Bordeaux. 

Things may not get any better for them against a hungry Tigers outfit who can overcome an 18-point handicap in front of their own fans.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights