Leinster vs Northampton Predictions - Leinster backed for comfortable Champions Cup victory

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 03 May 2024

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Marc Thomas 03 May 2024

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Leinster vs Northampton tips for Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final
Hosts have won all 10 games at home this season
Can the Saints cause a huge shock?

Expired

Leinster to prove too good at home (Getty Images)

Leinster vs Northampton Preview

Leinster are clear favourites on home soil and have been given a 14-point handicap. While the hosts have lost their last two games, it was with youngsters in their side while Northampton suffered a poor defeat this past weekend.

Leinster vs Northampton Preview
Head to Head
Leinster Form
Leinster Injuries & Team News
Northampton Form
Northampton Injuries & Team News

It’s a tough one to call as Northampton are capable of producing big performances, as shown in their away win against Munster earlier this season. I still fancy the hosts to cover the handicap over 80 minutes.

Leinster have won all 10 home matches this season.
Leinster have won 7 of their last 9 matches.
Northampton have lost their last 2 away matches.

Head to Head

These sides have not met in recent years.

Leinster Form

Leinster, like every season in recent memory, has been close to flawless. However, that has not necessarily translated into silverware in recent years.

The Irish club are currently second in the URC with 11 wins from 15 games. They have lost their last two games in the URC in South Africa to the Lions and Stormers. However, Leinster did field a very young side in both encounters in anticipation of this match.

It is something Leinster have done almost every season recently and it usually backfires on them. They’ve lost the last two Champions Cup finals so they will want to go one further this time around.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

Leinster have made a host of changes as all the regulars return after the youngsters have done duty over the last two weeks.

Northampton Form

The Saints are looking on course for the Rugby Premiership title, or at least to top the table. After 16 games they are four points clear of second place with 11 victories.

Northampton have won four of their last five matches which included a 59-22 quarterfinal win over the Bulls in the Champions Cup.

Last weekend they however lost 41-32 at the Harlequins which brought other teams within touching distance in the Premiership.