Ulster vs Northampton Saints
17th December 2000hrs
Rugby – Ireland – European Champions Cup
Pick Ulster -14 handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021
Ulster have some very strong home form going in the European Champions Cup overall. But they did let their last such fixture at the Kingspan Stadium slip.
This should be a fascinating showdown as Ulster would move level in the head to head with Northampton on Friday with victory over them.
The pressure is really all on Northampton Saints in this pool stage match after losing their opener heavily.
Table of Contents
Ulster Preview – Ulster to dominate at the Kingspan?
Ulster made a winning start to their pool stage campaign in this season’s European Champions Cup.
They took an excellent 29-23 away win at Clermont to get up and running.
In the match outright for Friday’s rugby betting, Ulster are huge 1/9 odds-on favourites* (odds recorded 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021).
Now to the Irish sides’ impressive home record in this competition in recent times.
Ulster have won 13 of their last 15 Heineken Cup home matches in a superb run.
They were beaten in their last home game in the competition though.
In that, they went down against Stade Francais last season in their first pool stage match.
The last time that Ulster lost back to back home matches in the competition was in 2014.
Those were reversed against Saracens and Toulon.
Ulster’s form this season in all competitions reads W6 L2 but last weekend’s result was good.
They had lost two of their most recent United Rugby Championship matches so we’re starting to creak just a little bit.
In the head to head against Northampton, Ulster are W2 L3.
It’s been a while since the two clubs have met though, the most recent clash was in the 2012/13 pool stage of the Heineken Cup.
Ulster and the Saints traded away wins that season.
This is a big chance for them to follow up after last week’s opening success.
An Ulster -14 handicap is running at a quote of 10/11 in rugby betting* (odds recorded 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021).
Northampton Saints Preview – Can Saints defy the odds?
The European Champions Cup campaign opener didn’t go well for the Saints last weekend.
They were pummeled at home by Racing 92.
It was a big 14 – 45 thrashing that the Saints were dealt at the hands of the French visitors.
Now their qualification task is made harder as they hit the road.
Last weekend’s defeat was a blow as Northampton had just shown signs of slipping back into form.
They had taken back to back Premiership wins before last weeks’ European action.
Before that, the Saints were struggling, posting a W1 L5 record in all competitions.
In the match tonight for rugby betting on the weekend, the Saints are big 11/2 underdogs* (odds recorded 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021).
There is little road form to really back up the Saints pulling this off.
They have taken a W2 L5 record in their last seven road fixtures in all competitions.
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Northampton Saints have played ten previous away fixtures against Irish teams in the Heineken Cup.
Their record from that is W2 L8.
As mentioned above they did win on their last visit to Ulster. But since then it’s been a tough place for the Saints to visit.
Northampton have lost their last three trips to Ireland in this competition.
In those three defeats, Northampton have lost by an average margin of 31 points.
Ulster vs Northampton Saints Betting Advice
Northampton Saints could do nothing to stop the flood of tries against them last weekend against Racing.
The Premiership side are in for another tough evening on Friday over in Ireland.
Saints look vulnerable and the Ulster -14 handicap is a viable proposition at 10/11* (odds recorded 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021).
Key Facts – Ulster vs Northampton Saints Betting Tip
- Ulster have won 13 of their last 15 home matches in the competition
- Ulster won away at Clermont last weekend
- Northampton Saints have lost 6 of their last 9 matches in all competitions
Ulster’s recent record in the competition at the Kingspan speaks for itself, winning all but two of their last fifteen.
It’s been three home games for them in this season’s United Rugby Championship and Ulster have won them all.
Ulster 11-20 winning margin is the other rugby betting pick at 13/8* (odds recorded 20:39 GMT on December 16th, 2021)
The best betting odds for Ulster vs Northampton Saints
Ulster to win: 1/9 at Bet365
Draw: 33/1 at Bet365
Northampton Saints to win: 11/2 at Bet365
