Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints Tips - Saints to march to victory

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 21 Apr 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 21 Apr 2023

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Watch Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints in the English Rugby Premiership on Friday (19:45 BST)
Newcastle Falcons have lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Premiership.
Will Northampton Saints be able to keep their playoff hopes alive

Expired

Saints to win away (Getty Images)

Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints Predictions

Newcastle host Northampton in a match where the Falcons have their pride on the line and the Saints have playoffs on the line. The Falcons have been the worst side in the league and Northampton are desperate to win in order to qualify for the semi-finals.

Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Saints Predictions
Head-to-Head
Newcastle Falcons Form and News
Northampton Saints Form and News

Newcastle Falcons have lost 5 of their last 6 matches in the Premiership.
Newcastle Falcons have not covered the +9.5 handicap in 3 of their last 4 matches.
Northampton Saints have won 4 of their last 6 matches in the Premiership..
Northampton Saints have won the last 5 head-to-head matches

Head-to-Head

Northampton lead the matchup by 34-18 in the 52 meetings between the sides.

The last match saw the Saints win 31-28 at Newcastle in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Newcastle Falcons Form and News

The Falcons are currently bottom of the table with six wins from their eighteen matches. They are currently in a bad run of form and have little to play for except pride now.

Newcastle lost to London Irish at home by 34-19 before losing 24-5 away at Exeter. A solid 17-12 home win over Gloucester would follow.

Their last match was a 48-20 away loss to Harlequins. Newcastle started brightly and lead for the first 47 minutes. The second half was truly woeful as the defence crumbled by conceding five tries. Harlequins’ brand of rugby eventually took shape and Newcastle simply could not hold on.

Stand-in coach Mark Laycock is yet to announce his squad for the match but we should see the same squad available for selection. There may be a change or two for the final match.

Northampton Saints Form and News

The Saints occupy fourth place currently with ten wins from nineteen matches. They will need to win this match if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals.

A 62-8 away loss at the hands of Bristol was succeeded by a 45-26 home win over Bath. A 37-22 away loss at London Irish would be the next result.

Northampton beat Saracens 38-29 in their last match. A must-win match was made all the easier with a red card for Saracens in the seventh minute. The Saints took control of the match as expected and would go on to claim a vital bonus point victory against the best side in the league.

Coach Phil Dowsen is sweating on the fitness of back James Ramm as Matt Proctor Ollie Sleightholme also miss out. Forwards Manny Iyogun and Robbie Smith are unavailable as well.

Verdict

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton

Northampton Saints should prove too strong on the day and coupled with the added motivation of the playoffs, I expect them to cover the -9.5 handicap.