Leicester v Wasps: match preview, TV details and tips

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Leicester v Wasps in the Premiership.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Leicester to win by one to 12 points
2pts 13-8 Betfred
Jordan Taufua to score a try
1pt 7-1 Betfair, Betway

Match preview

Conditions are set to be pretty testing if Saturday afternoon’s Premiership contest between Leicester and Wasps doesn’t fall victim to the stormy weather, but that is not the only reason to expect a tight game.

The forecast is for heavy rain and winds gusting up to 50mph at Welford Road.

When you add that to the record of this fixture and the fact that both clubs are ­struggling this term and short of confidence, you have all the ingredients for a scrappy, hard-fought clash.

These sides have met in two Premiership finals and a European final but lately they have been distinctly second-tier.

Leicester are second-bottom, Wasps just two places above them, and the pair have won just five matches between them this season.

The Tigers’ two victories have come at home, where their only two defeats have been to last year’s finalists Saracens and Exeter.

Wasps, meanwhile, have won their last two on the road, at Bristol and Worcester, but could find this fixture a far tougher test.

The Tigers are missing their England contingent including half-backs Ben Youngs and George Ford plus winger Jonny May and Ellis Genge in the pack, but still look stronger in the key set-piece and breakdown areas, where wet-weather matches tend to be won and lost.

There will be pressure on Tigers Academy graduate Tom Hardwick at fly-half to get Leicester playing in the right areas but the 20-year-old has 14 appearances under his belt this term.

In the last six seasons all 12 regular-season meetings have been settled by 12 points or fewer and given the poor conditions, scoring is likely to be low.

The ball will probably rarely go wide and Tigers flanker Jordan Taufua looks a big price at 7-1 to get on the scoresheet.

The Kiwi has two tries in seven appearances this season and his ball-carrying strength is sure to be a significant weapon for the hosts.

Saracens are narrow favourites at home to Sale, who are without scrum-half Faf de Klerk, Harlequins give up seven at home to London Irish and Worcester get a two-point start at home to Bath.

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