Rugby Union: Saracens v Leicester Tigers Betting Preview

A full house of more than 10,000 will be at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday for what should be a memorable battle between the two top sides in the league.

As things stand, Leicester Tigers lead the Premiership table with 70 points, that’s 16 more than Saracens, but this comfortable advantage won’t be felt by Tigers who know that a repeat of the closest of contests in October, when Leicester just won by 13-12 at Welford Road, is in prospect, particularly as Saracens are playing at home.

The outcome is hard to predict as the teams are evenly matched, so it’s far from easy to tip a winner, but if anything, you can argue that Saracens at the StoneX Stadium will be difficult to beat.

The London club have won two of their last three Premiership games, overcoming Bath and champions Harlequins and then losing right at the death by 32-30 to London Irish recently.

Whatever the composition of the teams, it’s safe to say that both will be contesting the top four play-offs and Saracens and the Tigers have an excellent chance of winning the Premiership title.

So, while it’s almost an impossible task to say which club you should put your money on, it’s far easier to mention some of the major players who’ll be lining up.

Saracens’ and Leicester Have International Class

Look at the strength of the Saracens’ forwards, prop Mako Vunipola and brother Billy, the rampaging number 8, stand out a mile, and then when you look at the backs, assuming he plays, fly half Manu Vinipola, another brother, will be guiding his team in the number 10 jersey.

You can make a strong case for saying that the most influential player could well turn out to be the Saracens’ centre Alex Lozowski who’s now the top points’ scorer in the Premiership.

Going into the game, Lozowski has scored 163 points, and is one of the deadliest goal kickers in the league; interestingly, in second place, but was the leading points’ scorers for most of the season until now, is Tigers’ fly half George Ford on 148.

Ford, who’s been on England duty in the Six Nations, may be available, but in his absence Freddie Burns has excelled, so he, too, may settle a tight game with a match winning conversion, drop goal or penalty.

In their last match, Leicester beat Gloucester 35-23 as they won their fourth Premiership game in succession with notable contributions from forwards Jasper Wiese and Hanro Liebenberg, and in the backs, from scrum half Jack van Poortvliet, Burns and centre Guy Porter.

The former England winger, Chris Ashton, has settled in quickly at Welford Road, and taking into account the results achieved by coach Steve Borthwick..15 wins in 17 matches..it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Tigers won the second league meeting against Saracens.

One or two stats may help punters: Saracens have won 10, drawn one and lost five of their 16 Premiership games in which they’ve scored 62 tries and let in 35.

Leicester Tigers have scored 59 tries and conceded 33, so there’s little difference between the two teams.