Northampton v Racing predictions and rugby union tips: Tight clash on the cards

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Northampton v Racing in the European Champions Cup.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Racing to win by one to 12 points
1pt 6-4 bet365

Match preview

Last season's European Champions Cup was dogged by Covid cancellations and the build-up to this year's tournament has seen clubs struggling to put teams out and one match already called off.

So it's heartening to see Northampton and Racing field strong teams for Friday evening's opening clash and it promises to be an entertaining affair.

European aristocrats Racing lie eighth in the Top 14 table and have won just one of their last five, but a star-studded line-up, including Scotland fly-half Finn Russell and Wallabies star Kurtley Beale at full-back, is packed with creativity.

Racing have won three of the four European meetings between these sides - the other was a 9-9 draw - and given they have recorded three draws on the road in the last seven years, many might be tempted by the 25-1 about the spoils being shared again.

But Racing have so much attacking talent with a backline containing France internationals Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa and Gael Fickou plus Argentina winger Juan Imhoff, and that may help them edge what could be a high-scoring contest.

Racing were the highest-scoring side in the competition last season, racking up 152 points and 18 tries, while Northampton have bagged a try bonus point in four of their last five Premiership matches.

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