Northampton vs Gloucester: Prem rugby predictions, team news, betting tips and odds

Date Saturday, October 31Starts 5.30pmVenue Franklin's Gardens, NorthamptonCompetition Gallagher PremTV Live on TNT Sports 1

Gloucester +81pt 6-5 BoyleSports

James Pater anytime tryscorer1pt 6-5 bet365

A clash between the reigning champions and this season's surprise package is the pick of Saturday's four fixtures in the Gallagher Prem.

Champions Northampton have had a binary start to the season, winning twice at home and losing both away matches. Their Champions Cup victory against Cardiff further strengthened their home record.

Saints endured a strange afternoon last Saturday as they were beaten 28-7 by Midlands rivals Leicester. Phil Dowson's side played some beautiful running rugby at Welford Road but were outmuscled in the tight.

To rub further salt into the wounds, Saints fly-half Fin Smith picked up an injury in the defeat so Anthony Belleau, who kicked the winning points in Northampton's 37-35 win at Gloucester last October, takes his place against the Cherry & Whites on Saturday.

Gloucester have won three of their four games, most recently beating Bath 23-5 last Friday, and their sole defeat was also at Welford Road, where they were beaten by seven points.

Anthony Belleau steps in for Fin Smith for Northampton against GloucesterCredit: Getty Images

They are boosted by Seb Atkinson's return at inside centre and he can help the Cherry & Whites keep tabs on the champions.

After winning by two points at Kingsholm, Saints were four-point victors in the return game at Franklin's Gardens and, with Smith absent, there is real merit in making the most of Gloucester's generous handicap mark.

The visitors are good enough to keep the Saints at arm's length with an eight-point buffer but they will still need to be on their guard as Northampton still possess plenty of attacking threat.

Teenage full-back James Pater, in particular, is enjoying an notable campaign.

Pater, 19, scored the Saints' sole try at Leicester, taking his league tally to five, four of which came in home wins over Newcastle and Bath.

In the day's other games, Exeter, Saracens and Bath are all home favourites, but their mixed recent results mean that, as in the feature fixture, it might be worth backing their opponents on the handicap.

Aston Villa vs Fulham predictions: 6-1 Bet Builder tip, team news and odds

Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli: Canelo can reclaim world title

The match kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday, October 31.

Northampton's home ground is Franklin's Gardens.

Northampton are 2-7 favourites, while Gloucester are 11-4, and the draw is 25-1. The handicap mark is ten 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.