Saracens vs Lyon Prediction: Sarries can put Lyon to the sword

Saracens have work to do to ensure they reach the European Champions Cup Round of 16, when they host Lyon at StoneX Stadium on Saturday evening (20:00).

The good news for the English Premiership giants is that Lyon have already qualified for the knockout stages and their motivation won’t be as high for their trip across the Channel.

Sarries have a rich pedigree in this competition, having been crowned European champions on three occasions in their history.

Saturday’s clash might well be a one-sided affair in London, as Saracens look to avoid the ignominy of a pool-stage exit from the Champions Cup.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Logovi’i Mulipola, Theo Dan and Christian Judge make up the front-row, with locks Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe both earning starts.

There’s a return for Juan Martin Gonzalez in the back-row, where he will be joined by Ben Earl and Billy Vunipola.

Ivan van Zyl and captain Owen Farrell again start in the half-backs, with centres Nick Tompkins and Elliot Daly outside, while experienced full-back Alex Goode is joined in the back three by wingers Lucio Cinti and Rotimi Segun.

As for Lyon, Jerome Rey, Yanis Charcosset and Hamza Kaabeche make up the front-row, with locks Joel Kpoku and Ugo Vignolles in behind.

Marvin Okuya, Maxime Gouzou and Theo William make up the back-row, with half-backs Liam Rimet and captain Leo Berdeu also starting.

Josiah Maraku and Alfred Parisien feature in the centres, with Monty Ioane, Davit Niniashvili and Alexandre Tchaptchet making up the back three.

Match Odds

Saracens are the overwhelming favourites to come out on top at StoneX Stadium at 1/28 in the match winner market.

Lyon are 10/1 to turn their fortunes on the road around and spring a major surprise on their trip to London, while the tie is available at 28/1.

Saracens -21.5 handicap @ 11/10

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall will be looking for a response from his side after their thrashing at the hands of Bordeaux last time out.

The Irishman should get that response, as Sarries will be a completely different proposition at the StoneX Stadium, against a Lyon side that have already done the business to secure their place in the last 16.

With Saracens such heavy favourites, the value here is to look to the handicap market, with the hosts available at 11/10 with -21.5 points.

There is certainly cause for optimism that Sarries can fall on the right side of the handicap, when looking at Lyon’s recent away games.

The Top 14 side’s last two away trips have seen them lose 46-10 at Bordeaux and 45-0 at Toulouse.

Clearly, there are areas of the Lyon defence to exploit and Saracens should do just that on Saturday evening.

Check out the rest of our Rugby Union Betting Tips here.