Northampton v Bristol predictions and rugby union tips: Mitchell a threat

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Northampton Saints v Bristol in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Alex Mitchell to score a try at any time
1pt 13-8 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Northampton ruined London Irish’s big St Patrick's Day game with a brilliant display of attacking rugby last time out and could find Bristol’s defence equally generous.

The Exiles were routed 42-22 by a Saints side who are firmly in the mix for the top four once again after back-to-back victories.

After a dreadful winter, Northampton have found some form at just the right time and are expected to chalk up another success at travel-sick Bristol’s expense.

However, while the Bears have lost eight of the nine away matches in the Premiership, they were excellent at Saracens in the previous round, failing to get the rub of the green in a 27-23 defeat.

If they can put rumours of salary cap trouble to one side, an attack-minded Bristol team that can count Semi Radradra, Charles Piutau and Siva Naulago among the backs can trouble the Saints.

Northampton aren’t short of try-scorers themselves with wing Tom Collins in superb form, scoring four tries in five Premiership games.

Collins is the favourite to dot down again in the anytime tryscorer market but in a potentially high-scoring contest, preference goes to Northampton’s Alex Mitchell at slightly bigger odds.

The elusive scrum-half has nine tries to his name in the Premiership, including three in his last five outings, and could be the beneficiary of the large amount of broken play that’s been a feature of games for both these sides.

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