Northampton Saints vs London Irish
2nd October 1500hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Northampton -8 handicap
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021
It has been a good positive start to the new Premiership Rugby season for Northampton Saints who have claimed back to back wins.
They should be full of confidence after taking a superb away win at Exeter last weekend.
London Irish were involved in a nail-biter as they managed to avoid defeat in the Premiership to snap a losing run.
Table of Contents
Northampton Saints Preview – Saints to march on?
This on paper should be a comfortably winnable home fixture in the Premiership on Saturday for the Saints.
They kicked off the new campaign with a cosy home win over Gloucester.
Then last weekend they stepped things up further to snatch a 26-24 away win at Exeter.
That was quite a big statement made by Northampton away from home.
Northampton are the 3/10 odds-on favourites to win this match* (odds recorded 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021).
The Saints haven’t won back to back home games at Franklin’s Gardens since December 2019.
That’s quite a remarkable and unexpected streak.
But they are strong favourites here as Northampton hammered London Irish 44-26 on home turf last season.
Since December 2015, Northampton have suffered only one home loss against Irish at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Saints have earned a win in 11 of their last 13 matches against London Irish in the Premiership specifically (L2).
That means they have beaten the Exiles more times than they have any other club in the competition.
It is only three times before in their Premiership history that the Saints have won their first three games of a new season.
They do look like they are in a free-flowing mood at the moment.
Northampton are making clean breaks for fun and have been superb in making metres with carries.
A Northampton Saints -8 handicap is at a quote for 10/11 for Rugby Betting* (odds recorded 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021).
That looks to be within range.
London Irish Preview – Exiles with work to do
Irish started their season with a hugely disappointing away defeat against Worcester who finished bottom of last season’s Premiership.
That’s the sort of match that the Exiles need to be winning to stay away from relegation worries.
Last weekend was better for them as they earned a point in a fantastic duel with Sale Sharks.
That was on home turf, a high scoring 31-31 draw.
But that does leave the Irish without a Premiership Rugby successes since a home win over Bath at the end of March.
Last season in the league, the Exiles earned one away win only.
That was a shock 16-10 upset away at Wasps in Coventry in Round 11.
In the match outright for Premiership Rugby, the win for London Irish is at a current quote of 13/5* (odds recorded 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021).
They will do well to get out of this match with anything.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Looking back at their form from last season too, the London Irish had been on a long losing streak before last weekend.
It had been a seven-match losing streak in the competition they had been on.
Still, they are winless in eight. In five of those eight matches, the Exiles have scored at least four tries in a match.
London Irish have tallied 9 tries this season and six of those have come directly from a line out.
But because they aren’t winning despite scoring, that doesn’t say too much for their defence.
Northampton Saints vs London Irish Betting Advice
The Saints should have enough quality to open up a London Irish defence which isn’t that strong at the best of times.
Certainly not away from home. So there’s a good opportunity for the Saints to make it three wins on the spin.
The -8 handicap looks to be about right for Northampton at 10/11* (odds recorded 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021).
Key Facts – Northampton Saints vs London Irish Betting Tip
- Northampton Saints are W11 L2 in their last 13 Premiership matches against Irish
- Northampton Saints have won their opening two games of the season
- London Irish are winless in eight Premiership matches (D1 L7)
Irish are capable of crossing the try line, especially from set plays. But it just looks like a big ask for them to hold out over 80 minutes.
Digging out that point at home last weekend is going to be a lot different to trying avoid defeat away from home.
A Northampton 1-12 winning margin is at 7/4* (odds recorded 19:16 GMT on September 30th, 2021).
The best betting odds for Northampton Saints vs London Irish
Northampton Saints to win: 3/10 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
London Irish to win: 13/5 at Bet365
