Northampton vs Bayonne Predictions - Saints backed to win by less than 18 in Champions Cup

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 12 Jan 2024

Marc Thomas 12 Jan 2024

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Northampton vs Bayonne tips for Friday’s European Champions Cup match
Hosts have won their last 7 games in all competitions
Can Bayonne upset the odds in England?

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Northampton backed for victory (Getty Images)

Northampton vs Bayonne Preview

Bayonne should be competitive but after over 80 minutes the Saints are backed to be too good. The 18-point handicap is however quite big, and I believe the French will get inside that margin.

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

Northampton have won their last 7 matches.
Northampton have won their last 2 Champions Cup matches.
Northampton have failed to win by more than 18 points in their last 12 matches.
Bayonne have only 1 win in their last 5 matches.

Head to Head

These sides have not met recently.

Northampton Form

Northampton are having an incredible season thus far. They are top of the Rugby Premiership with eight wins in 11 games and also won their opening two Champions Cup games.

Those two wins in Europe came away in Glasgow and at home to Toulon. It was followed by three successive wins in the Premiership. All in all, the Saints have now won their last seven games in all competitions.

Last week, in a high-scoring thriller, Northampton prevailed 42-36 at Exeter Chiefs. It was exciting from the get-go; however, the Saints will be concerned with how easily they were beaten on defence.

Northampton Injuries & Team News

With two wins in the bag in Europe already, the Saints will likely target this as another. They may then opt to rest players next week on their trip to Munster.

Bayonne Form

Bayonne have been inconsistent this season and currently resides in 10th spot on the Top 14 table. They have won five and lost seven, while in Europe they drew one game and lost the other.

The 17-all draw at Munster was a very impressive result, however, the French club backed it up with a narrow 12-11 defeat at home to Glasgow. Since then, Bayonne have lost two and won one Top 14 game.

Last week Bayonne suffered an agonising 24-23 loss at Bordeaux. The week prior they won a close one at home, beating Racing 92 27-23.

Bayonne Injuries & Team News

Bayonne need a positive result in Europe soon if they are to progress from the group. This is a very tough one so they may opt to target their home game against Exeter next weekend.