Sale vs Glasgow Warriors Prediction: Warriors can put Sharks to the sword

The European Rugby Champions Cup gets underway this week and there is a battle of Britain to look forward to on Friday night (20:00, Premier Sports 2) as Sale Sharks host Glasgow Warriors at CorpAcq Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Sale vs Glasgow Warriors prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in Greater Manchester.

Sale vs Glasgow Warriors Odds

Sale are the 17/10 underdogs to start their Champions Cup campaign with a victory, while Glasgow are 1/2 favourites to head back north of the border with the win.

A draw at CorpAcq Stadium on Friday night is 18/1, while the Sharks with a +1.5 handicap at half-time are 20/21.

Team News

Starting with the Sharks, Si McIntyre, Nathan Jibulu and WillGriff John start in the front row, with locks Tom Burrow and Ben Bamber in the second row.

Jacques Vermeulen, skipper Ernst van Rhyn and Tom Curry start in the back row, with Raffi Quirke and Rob du Preez in the half-backs.

Marius Louw and Rekeiti Ma’asi-White combine in the centres, while Sale go with a back three of Alex Wills, Tom O’Flaherty and Arron Reed.

As for the visitors, Glasgow have a front row of Nathan McBeth, Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson, while locks Max Williamson and Scott Cummings start in the engine room.

Scotland back-row trio Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey complete the pack, while George Horne and Adam Hastings start in the centres.

Sione Tuipulotu is joined by Stafford McDowall in the centres, while Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn and Josh McKay form the back three.

Glasgow Warriors -5 handicap @ 1/1

Sale have been hit by a significant blow with the loss of fly-half George Ford for Friday’s game.

Ford enjoyed an impressive Autumn Nations Series, reclaiming the No.10 jersey from Northampton’s Fin Smith and making the most of his opportunity.

The loss of Ford’s tactical awareness, leadership and kicking from hand and the tee leaves a big void in this Sale side.

Glasgow on the other hand are close to full strength and will be confident of getting a result at CorpAcq Stadium on Friday.

Boasting a pack made up nearly entirely of Scotland internationals, the Warriors will look to take the fight to Sale in this one, while the Warriors have packs who can attack from anywhere on the field.

Glasgow have a good record against Sale, winning all of their three previous meetings, with the most recent being a 38-19 victory for the Warriors at Scotstoun last year.

With Ford absent and this talented Glasgow side having good form in this fixture, the Warriors to cover the handicap gets the thumbs up in this one.

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