Saracens vs Northampton Saints Prediction: Saints can march away from capital with victory

StoneX Stadium hosts a heavyweight clash on Friday night (19:30 kick-off), as Saracens take on visitors Northampton Saints in the second round of games in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Saracens vs Northampton Saints prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in north London.

Team News

Starting with Saracens, the hosts have opted for Rhys Carre, Theo Dan and Marcus Street in the front row, with Nick Isiekwe and Olamide Sodeke in the engine room.

Harry Wilson, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Nathan Michelow start in the back row, with Charlie Bracken and Louie Johnson combining in the centres.

Cameron Hutchison and Sam Spink form the centre combination, with Rotimi Segun, Jack Bracken and Max Malins in the back three.

Meanwhile, Northampton have a front row of Emmanuel Iyogun, Craig Wright and Trevor Davison, with locks Ed Prowse and JJ Van Der Mescht in the engine room.

Angus Scott-Young, Tom Pearson and skipper Callum Chick complete the pack, with Archie McParland partnering Anthony Belleau in the half-backs.

Toby Thame and Rory Hutchinson start in the centres, with Edoardo Todaro, James Ramm and George Hendy in a dangerous back three.

Saracens vs Northampton Saints Odds

Saracens are available at 3/10 to secure the win on their own patch on Friday night, while the Northampton Saints are 13/5 to head back to the East Midlands with the victory.

A draw on the night at StoneX Stadium is currently available at 18/1

Northampton Saints +7 handicap @ 10/11

The Premiership Rugby Cup is used as a competition to blood youngsters and, especially in the early stage of the season, get more match minutes into more seasoned professionals.

Northampton director or rugby Phil Dowson has selected a team with what looks to have a good blend of both youth and experience.

In the forwards, former Newcastle Falcons star Chick and Der Mescht will make their debuts for Northampton, while Belleau and Todaro will also run out for the Saints for the first time in the backs.

Sarries were beaten 20-7 on the road at Leicester Tigers in the first round of fixtures in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Londoners might well lose out to more East Midlands opposition on Friday night.

Saints look like they have the power in the pack to cause Saracens problems at the breakdown, while there is pace and quality in the backline to be a threat in the wide channel.

Northampton outside centre Hutchinson, with the likes of Thame, Ramm and Hendy around him, can strike from anywhere on the field and those four players are likely to be a constant threat.

Expect some great contests between these heavyweights in the Premiership this season, but for Friday in this cup clash Northampton can draw first blood with a win, while covering the handicap in the process.

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