Bath v Northampton Saints: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Northampton Saints beat Bath to secure Premiership Rugby glory in June but the hosts could gain some degree of revenge when the pair meet at The Rec on Friday.

The Saints triumphed 25-21 at Twickenham but were second best for long periods of that contest and also benefited from a 21st-minute red card for Bath prop Beno Obano.

Bath will have spent the summer identifying where they can improve in their bid to claim a first English title since 1995/96 and they can make a winning start.

The visitors have lost several key figures from their squad and their more settled hosts have a chance to punish them on the opening night of what should be another barnstorming season.

Bath v Northampton Saints betting tips and predictions

Bath -4.5 - 10/11

Bath were on top for large periods at Twickenham but ended up second best on the scoreboard.

However, they have won nine of their last 10 home games and, unlike most of their rivals, look stronger than last season. While several squad players have departed, Johann Van Graan and his board's recruitment has been built on quality over quantity.

In contrast, the Saints have seen Ethan and Alex Waller and fellow cornerstone forwards Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam all depart.

Phil Dowson and his staff will need time to adapt and find their best combinations while Bath's are already there, with Finn Russell pulling the strings at fly-half and a lovely mix of pace, power and skill outside him.

The Blue, Black and White are a classy outfit and can set their stall out for the season with an opening win over the champions.

Ben Spencer anytime tryscorer - 11/5

Russell gets the plaudits, but while he thrives on chaos, his captain, Ben Spencer, allows Bath to control games.

The scrum-half earns admirers for his passing and kicking but can also spot a gap and reads the game brilliantly, as demonstrated by his intercept try against the Saints in May's win at The Rec.

That was one of eight tries he scored last season but Spencer continues to be underrated by the England selectors and will be disappointed that Red Rose incumbent Alex Mitchell is unavailable for the visitors.

Mitchell's understudy Tom James will push the former Saracens' half-back but the Bath skipper is smart enough to adapt his game and assess different opportunities.

Look for Spencer to shine on Friday and do not be surprised to see him dot down again against Northampton.

Ollie Sleightholme anytime tryscorer - 11/8

Last season's Premiership top try scorer Ollie Sleightholme earned England recognition over the summer and his focus will be on playing his way into the side in time for the Red Rose's next fixtures in November.

He scored his team's second try at Twickenham in June and despite only receiving a handful of minutes against New Zealand, produced a couple of blockbusting cameos.

While Tommy Freeman, who is on the bench on Friday, and captain George Furbank add a smoothness to the Northampton attack, Sleightholme brings the bustle and his unglamorous style is perhaps why he continues to fly relatively under the radar.

The 24-year-old's duel with another England hopeful, Joe Cokanasiga, promises to be barnstorming and the visiting speedster could well open his account for the campaign.

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Bath v Northampton Saints odds

Bath - 4/7
Tie - 20/1
Northampton - 6/4

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.