Bristol vs Northampton: Premiership rugby union predictions, team news, betting tips and odds

Date Saturday, October 3Starts 3.05pmVenue Ashton Gate, BristolCompetition Gallagher PremTV Live on TNT Sports 1

Tommy Freeman to score a try and Northampton to win1pt 29-20 Hills

Expect excitement at Ashton Gate, where Bristol host Northampton in the first of Saturday's three Prem games.

Both were opening-round winners, the Bears beating Sale 34-24, while the reigning champions, the Saints, blew past Newcastle 59-26.

Bristol won last season's Ashton Gate meeting 46-12 but were humiliated at Franklin's Gardens in May, where Northampton ran in 14 tries to triumph 94-33.

Pat Lam's side are unlikely to be as outclassed again, but their penchant for leaking tries leaves them vulnerable and the visitors have the scoring power to punish them.

Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick on the wing against Newcastle and moves to full-back for this fixture, with James Pater, who also ran in three tries, dropping to the bench.

The experiment of using Freeman in the centre may have been shelved but he will get his hands on the ball more at 15 and can score again in a winning cause.

George Furbank faces a long evening on his competitive debut for new club Harlequins at GloucesterCredit: CameraSport via Getty Images

Later on Saturday, Gloucester, impressive 45-25 opening-weekend winners at Exeter, could hurt Harlequins.

Quins were poor in their 33-17 defeat to Bath and, although George Furbank is fit for his competitive debut, the visitors' pack looks underpowered, with Gloucester 10-11 with bet365 to win by 13+ points.

Finally, to a big occasion under the Kingston Park lights with Leicester in town to face Newcastle.

The Red Bulls beat the Tigers 36-24 in the cup last month, but Geoff Parling's visitors are expected to be stronger this time around.

While Leicester lost 40-38 to Saracens last Sunday, they won the second half 26-19.

Solomone Kata excelled in the centres, scoring a try and making 71 metres from seven carries and the Tongan ranks a fine price at 19-10 with BoyleSports to score again.

Warrington Wolves vs Wakefield Trinity: Super League Grand Final predictions, betting tips and odds

Ben Whittaker vs Conor Wallace predictions, odds and boxing betting tips: Surgeon can pick apart Wallace

Croatia vs England predictions: 7-1 Bet Builder tip, team news and odds

The match kicks off at 3.05pm on Saturday, October 3.

Bristol's home ground is Ashton Gate.

Northampton are 4-9 favourites, while Bristol are 15-8, and the draw is 20-1. The handicap mark is five points (bet365).

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.