Newcastle Red Bulls vs Saracens Prediction: Red Bulls to push Sarries at Kingston Park

Having been thrashed by Saracens in the Gallagher Prem last time out, Newcastle Red Bulls will be looking for revenge when they host Sarries on Friday night (19:45 kick-off) at Kingston Park in the Prem Rugby Cup.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Newcastle Red Bulls vs Saracens prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the north east.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Newcastle have selected a front row of Connor Hancock, Bryn Gordon and Luan de Bruin, with locks Tim Cardall and Finn Baker in the engine room.

Skipper Reuben Parsons, Cameron Neild and Freddie Lockwood complete the pack, while it’s James Elliott and Cameron Hutchison who combine in the half-backs.

Rhys Beeckmans and Max Clark pair up in the centres, while the Red Bulls go with a back three of Nathan Greenwood, Stefan Coetzee and Boeta Chamberlain.

As for the visitors Phil Brantingham, James Hadfield and Tietie Tuimauga start in the front row, with Nick Isiekwe alongside Olamide Sodeke in the second row.

Harry Wilson, Charlie West and skipper Nathan Michelow form the back row, with Charlie Bracken and Louie Johnson in the half-backs.

Olly Hartley and Alex Lozowski start in the centres, while Sarries go with Brandon Jackson, Finn Keylock and Angus Hall in the back three.

Newcastle Red Bulls vs Saracens Odds

Newcastle are 4/1 for the win, while Saracens are 1/6 to head back to the capital with the victory. A draw under the lights at Kingston Park on Friday night is currently 18/1.

Newcastle Red Bulls +3.5 first half handicap @ 11/10

T

he Red Bulls endured a Saturday to forget last weekend when they suffered a humiliating 73-14 defeat against Saracens at StoneX Stadium in the Gallagher Prem.

However, they can respond with a better performance on Friday night, albeit against a much weaker Saracens outfit in the Prem Rugby Cup.

Both Newcastle and Sarries sit on 11 points after their first four games in this competition, one which allows clubs to blood their emerging talent and give fringe players a chance for more minutes.

Saracens have already beaten Newcastle in the Prem Rugby Cup this season, winning 43-0 when they met at StoneX Stadium back in late November.

Home advantage should give Newcastle a boost now, while the rain forecast in Newcastle on Friday should also be a leveller in this one.

The Red Bulls have already beaten Harlequins 26-14 at Kingston Park in this competition this term, while Newcastle also pushed table-toppers Leicester Tigers close in a 10-8 defeat back in September.

A victory might be a stretch for the Red Bulls but they should be able to push this youthful Saracens side and Newcastle are backed with +3.5 in the first half handicap market for this one.

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