Two sides battling for Premiership supremacy lock horns at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday afternoon, when Northampton Saints host Sale Sharks.

Northampton are on a hot streak right now and head into the contest on a five-game winning run, while an inconsistent Sale have two defeats and two victories from their last four fixtures across all competitions.

With just one place and a point separating these two sides, this contest promises to be an enthralling watch that may just go the way of the home side.

Team News

Northampton have made eight alterations from the Gloucester victory, with centre Burger Odendaal set to make his debut after being named alongside Rory Hutchinson in midfield.

Alex Waller is back from injury and named in a front-row that is completed by Sam Matavesi and Trevor Davison, while Juarno Augustus makes his first start of the season at No.8.

Half-back pairing Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell will be aiming to pull the strings once again, as they partner up for the seventh time in this campaign.

Luke Cowan-Dickie starts at hooker for Sale in place of Agustin Creevy, while Rob du Preez switches to number 12 to cover for the injured Manu Tuilagi and Sam James comes in at 13.

There are places among the replacements for both Telusa Veainu and Luke James, who appears in a Premiership matchday squad for the first time this season.

Match Odds

Northampton are the 4/7 favourites to extend their winning streak to six matches across all competitions, with tie priced at 18/1 and Sale 6/4 to claim the spoils.

In the Match Winner Draw No Bet market, the Saints can be backed at 4/7 and the Sharks are available at 13/10.

Northampton Saints to win @ 4/7

Both Northampton and Sale are enjoying strong seasons as we approach 2024, with the Saints’ 6-3 win-loss record just slightly worse than the Sharks’ 7-2 tally.

The Saints have also made a perfect start to their European Champions Cup campaign, winning both of their matches to sit top of Pool C, while the Sharks have one win and a defeat as they occupy third in Pool D.

Those two cup victories for Northampton have come during this current five-game winning streak they are on, having also overcome Harlequins, Saracens and Gloucester, and confidence is sky-high in the squad.

Sale have been hit-and-miss of late, with losses to Quins and Leinster mixed with triumphs over Stade Francais and Saracens. Consistency has been an issue of late and that could haunt them again on Saturday.

The Sharks have been built on strong defence, with their tally of 185 points against the second best in the Premiership, but they have struggled in attack with rock-bottom Newcastle the only team to score less than them.

Alex Sanderson's side have lost their last two away games in all competitions, conceding 73 points in the process and scoring just 30.

Northampton have won their last four home assignments and that consistency at Franklin’s Gardens can see them clinch a crucial victory over Sale.

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