Saracens v Leicester predictions and rugby union tips: Sarries to edge it

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

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Saracens to win by one to 12 points
2pst 13-8 Betfred

Match preview

It took an 80th-minute drop goal to separate Saracens and Leicester in last season’s Premiership final and things could be just as tight when the teams meet again at the Stonex on Saturday.

The start of the Premiership season has been a bit wild, featuring some huge scores and dramatic fightbacks, and Leicester have already shipped nine tries in three matches and Sarries eight in two.

But these were the two best defences in the league last season and Leicester’s kicking away from home seems geared towards keeping opponents at arm’s length and minimising their attacking threat.

Four of the last five meetings between these sides have produced points total of 40 points or fewer, while the last four meetings have been settled by a single-figure margin.

Leicester won away last week at Northampton, where the strength of their pack proved too much, but Sarries are a stronger unit up front and this should be a closer battle. The hosts are without Maro Itoje in the pack but have won ten of their last 11 home games.

The Tigers give a first start to summer signing Anthony Watson while World Cup winning fly-half Handre Pollard is on the bench.

Elsewhere in the Premiership there's a battle of two teams with 100 per cent records as Sale are two-point favourites at home to Exeter, while winless Bath go to London Irish.

In the game of the day in the United Rugby Championship, bookmakers can barely split Ospreys, who drew their opener at Scarlets and were edged by one point by the Lions at home last week, and visitors Glasgow (Premier Sports 1, 3.05pm Saturday).

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