Northampton Saints vs Gloucester
18th September 1500hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Gloucester +7 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021
Gloucester had a tough time of things last season as they finished second from bottom in the Premiership.
That was a long fall considering that they had taken a top-four finish in the campaign before that.
What next for the Cherry & Whites? They have a tough opener to the new season as they visit Northampton on Saturday.
Table of Contents
Northampton Saints Preview – Saints favorite for home success
There was a good fifth-place finish in last season’s Premiership for Northampton Saints.
That was despite their end of the season form falling away badly.
Northampton lost four of their final matches of the campaign.
In that run, there was a demoralising 7-31 home loss that happened against Saturday’s opponents Gloucester.
In the match outright for this rematch, Saints are 4/9 odds-on favourite* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
The one win that they did take in their final five matches of last season did happen at home, against Wasps.
Also supporting a home success is the fact that the Saints have won six of their last eight home matches against Gloucester in the league.
They have never lost back to back Premiership home games against the Cherry & Whites.
Both matches between these two last season were won by the away team on the day.
The margin of victories in both of those fixtures was exactly 31 points.
A Northampton -7 handicap option for rugby betting is at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
When they have kicked off a season at home, Northampton have won eight of ten such fixtures.
The most recent of those did end in defeat, however, against Bath at the start of the 2016/17 campaign.
Can the Saints make the most of this opening home advantage?
Gloucester Preview – Can Cherry & Whites find road form?
Gloucester were nowhere near the level they wanted to be at last season, having some real struggles.
Only Worcester finished the season with fewer points than the Cherry & Whites did.
A big problem for Gloucester was their away form.
It was just the two road victories that Gloucester earned in the Premiership last season (Wasps and Northampton).
Since the start of 2019, they have won only 6 of 29 away games in the Premiership (D1 L23).
In the match outright for Saturday’s fixture, Gloucester rare 15/8 underdogs* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
They did find a little bit of form at the back-end of last season in the Premiership.
Gloucester only lost one of their final four matches played (not counting a couple of declared losses for cancelled fixtures).
The only loss in that sequence was at Bristol who finished top of the regular-season table.
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Gloucester can take some confidence from having won two of their last three matches at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Gloucester +7 handicap for rugby betting is at 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
There probably is an opportunity for the visitors here to at least get close.
The Saints have collected just 5 wins in their last 18 Premiership home fixtures, which is the fewest of all teams since then.
The problems for Gloucester last season were all defensive, they did produce going forward.
Northampton Saints vs Gloucester Betting Advice
We think that that is going to be tight enough to warrant a look at the Gloucester +7 handicap for a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
One of their two wins away from Kingsholm last season happened at Franklin’s Gardens.
So they could have a chance here. It’s not as if the Saints were spectacular at home.
Key Facts – Northampton Saints vs Gloucester Betting Tip
- Northampton Saints have won 5 of their last 18 home games in the Premiership
- Northampton Saints have won 6 of their last 8 at home against the Cherry & Whites
- Gloucester have won 2 of their last 3 at Franklin’s Gardens
There isn’t enough in the odds to back at Northampton Saints home win in the match outright.
So it’s perhaps best to push for a Northampton 1-5 winning margin as we do just think home advantage wins out.
Both meetings last season produced big margin wins for the away team. This has the look of being closer.
The best betting odds for Northampton Saints vs Gloucester
Northampton Saints to win: 4/9 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Gloucester to win: 15/8 at Bet365
