Sale v Leicester predictions: Sharks can make the most of home comforts

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Sale v Leicester in the Premiership on Friday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Sale to win by one to 12 points
1pt 7-5 bet365

Match preview

Leicester kicked off the Richard Wigglesworth era with a home win against Gloucester in their first outing under their new coach, but the Tigers look set to face a tougher challenge at Sale on Friday.

The second-placed Sharks were overturned at Newcastle last week and will be smarting on their return to the Salford City Stadium, where they have won five of six Premiership matches this term.

That was just Sale's third defeat this season - the others came to the Saracens and Harlequins - while they have already overcome Leicester at Welford Road this term, winning 22-20 in October.

The Sharks side are bolstered by the return from injury of England centre Manu Tuilagi, while Tom Curry, Akker van der Merwe and Sam James also return to the starting line-up.

Wigglesworth has stuck with the side that started against Gloucester bar one change - fly-half Handre Pollard is fit to make his first start for the club so Freddie Burns drops to the bench.

World Cup winner Pollard is a huge addition to any side, although it may take him time to gel with his teammates against a side as well drilled and physical as Sale.

Sale's attack has picked up a bit this season but their tally of 32 tries is the lowest in the top half of the table, while they boast the strongest defence with only 23 tries and 211 points shipped.

Seven of their ten matches, and four of their five home wins, have been settled by ten points or fewer, and the best bet may be that Sale grind another home success.

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