Northampton Saints vs Sale Prediction: Champions can hit back at home

Northampton Saints suffered their second defeat of the season last weekend but both of their reverses have come on the road, and they can hit back at home against Sale at Franklin's Gardens on Friday (19:45, TNT Sports 1).

Below you can find my Northampton Saints vs Sale prediction alongside all the latest team news and match odds for this Gallagher Premiership clash.

The Saints are targeting a 12th straight home win at Franklin's Gardens, with this coming Monday marking a year since their last home loss to Bristol.

Sale have won their last two but both were at home and they have won just two of their last 11 on the road.

The last five meetings have been settled by seven or fewer points but this looks like a chance for Saints to cut loose and provide a response to last Saturday's derby defeat at Leicester.

Team News

Flanker Angus Scott-Young makes his 50th appearance for Northampton, who have made eight changes.

They include the introduction of wing George Hendy, who makes his first start of the season.

Rugby Union Odds

Sale make four changes from the team that started against Newcastle. Number eight Dan du Preez makes his first start since January, while prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, centre Waisea Nayacalevu and winger Tom O'Flaherty also come into the XV.

Northampton Saints vs Sale Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Northampton Saints vs Sale page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Northampton are 1/3 favourites, with Sale 23/10 and the draw 22/1.

The three-way handicap is set at -8, with Saints 1/1 to be carrying that deficit.

Northampton Saints -10 @ 8/5

Northampton may have lost 24-8 at Welford Road but they were the better side for long stretches and came up against a tenacious Tigers defence.

It was an old-school, grizzled performance from Leicester and there were positives to take for the Saints, but after also losing at Bath this season, they need to improve on the road.

However, they have few such worries at home, where they are unbeaten in almost a year. Their 2024-25 victories over Exeter (30-24) and Harlequins (33-29) were tight but they can provide a statement performance on Friday.

Sale beat Gloucester 31-27 and then Newcastle 43-10 and were especially good against the struggling Falcons. However, that was at home in Salford and their away record shows they struggle on the road.

Just two victories in 11 is a troubling statistic and although they were impressive against Newcastle, part of that was due to Rob du Preez's presence at fly-half in George Ford's absence.

Ford's superior game management means Du Preez often plays outside centre when the England man starts but the South African's approach is more flamboyant than his colleague when selected in his favoured position and helps his team rack up the points.

That also makes the Shakes more open and the Saints' brilliant back-line could prosper, with number 10 Fin Smith firing out passes to Hendy and co.

Phil Dowson's side often play their best rugby under the lights at the Gardens on Friday evenings and can win with plenty to spare.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.