Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons Prediction: Saints can pile on more misery

Reigning Premiership champions Northampton Saints have not enjoyed the strongest of title defences so far, but they will be confident in getting more points on the board when they host Newcastle Falcons at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday (15:00 kick-off).

Read on for my Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

The Saints have lost both of their last two league matches this season, however, their home form makes for far more impressive reading, with Phil Dowson’s men coming out on top in 20 of their last 21 home matches in all competitions - with their sole defeat coming against Gloucester at the end of November (25-17).

The Falcons, meanwhile, have won two league matches this season - a far better return last campaign, where they lost all 18 matches - however their miserable losing away run in the Premiership is now at over two years and this unfortunate streak looks set to be extended at the weekend.

Team News

Dowson will be hoping that Ollie Sleightholme can continue his fine try-scoring form this season, with the England international having already gone over the line on five occasions in this Premiership campaign.

He will be expected to start after scoring from the bench against Saracens last time out, while scrum-half Archie McParland will also be vying for minutes after crossing over late on at the StoneX Stadium.

The Falcons will have to do without Ethan Grayson after he returned to his parent club San Diego Legion after a short-term loan deal in Newcastle.

Steve Diamond will also be without the injured duo of Cameron Neild and Eduardo Bello, however, forwards Jamie Blamire and Freddie Lockwood are both available for selection after scoring early tries in the 40-15 defeat to Bath last time out.

Gallagher Premiership Odds

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Match Odds

Northampton are the overwhelming favourites for victory in this Premiership clash at 1/50, with the visiting Newcastle are 12/1 to stun the Saints.

The draw provides odds of 28/1, while the hosts are 11/10 in the -26 handicap market.

Newcastle Falcons +20.5 Handicap @ 7/5

Northampton’s superb form in front of their own fans, coupled with Newcastle’s long-standing misery away from the North East, should see the Saints come away with victory however the win may not be as dominant as recent head-to-heads would suggest.

The Saints have won just three league matches this season - all of which came at Franklin’s Gardens - and only one of these have come via a margin greater than 20 points.

Newcastle, despite losing their three away matches this season by a combined score of 107-31, have only been beaten by more than 20 points in just one match since the beginning of November - a run of seven games in all competitions.

The Saints are not the same free-scoring side of last season and, while they should still come away with victory, the Falcons should avoid a cricket score in this contest.

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