Aviva Premiership: Saracens v Leicester Tigers Odds and Betting Preview

WATFORD, UK – Saracens host Leicester Tigers in the pick of this week’s Aviva Premiership matches in what is set to be a repeat of last season’s Grand Final. Saracens overpowered the Tigers at Twickenham last May and it looks set to be a mouth watering encounter. Saracens have not been beaten at Vicarage Road since October 2010 and the Champions have won their last eleven matches in all competitions.

Saracens have been priced up as the 4/6 favourites (bet £6 to make £4 profit) with Ladbrokes for Sunday’s encounter which is broadcast live on Sky Sports. Leicester are quoted at a standout 5/3 with sportingbet and following a defeat away in Exeter last weekend they will be eager to continue their push to reach the end of season playoffs. A draw is available as a 20/1 chance with Skybet for any punters who predict there will be nothing to separate the sides after 80 minutes of rugby.

Saracens have made two changes to the side that beat Wasps away last weekend as Schalk Brits and Neil de Kock return to the starting line-up following returns from injury. England have released prop Matt Stevens and he takes his place on the substitutes bench and he can make a big impact coming on the field in the second period. The hosts have won their last four games against Leicester and currently lie second in the Aviva Premiership table seven points off the leaders, Harlequins.

Leicester suffered a disappointing trip to the Westcountry last weekend and despite a formidable side packed with international talent they were unable to beat the powerful Exeter Chiefs. Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi returned from injury lay-offs in that game and Flood looked very rusty as it was his charged down kick that set up the decisive try allowing Exeter to win a tight encounter. Flood will be desperate to impress ahead of England’s next Six Nations game as he pushes to win back the number ten jersey for the national side. Saracens will be without a number of their England stars which give the Tigers an advantage in the midfield. Leicester hand a first Aviva Premiership start to Samoan international Logovii Mulipola while Alesana Tuilagi is forced to watch from the stands after damaging his knee at Sandy Park last weekend.

 In the Handicap market the main line has been set at three points and Leicester are an even money chance with BetVictor to win when given this advantage. The Tigers are priced up at 11/8 with Betfred when given a point headstart and are 2/1 with the same firm to cover a two point deficit. Leicester have not recorded consecutive away defeats in the Premiership since 2010 and will want to win today to avoid falling too far behind the top two in the table. Saracens are quoted at 5/4 with Stan James to cover a six point deficit and are 7/4 at William Hill to win by more than 7 points today. For any punters who predict that Saracens will run away with this game on their home ground can back the hosts at 11/4 with Betfred to cover a 10 point handicap deficit.

Saracens/Saracens is an industry best price of 11/8 with sportingbet in the Half-time/Full-time betting while Leicester Tigers/Saracens can be backed at 13/2 with Ladbrokes. A Saracens/Leicester Tigers double result is available at 9/1 with BetVictor and Leicester are a 3/1 chance with William Hill to be leading at both the half-time and full-time whistles.

James Short has been installed as the 10/1 favourite in the First Tryscorer betting while his fellow Saracens winger Duncan Taylor is a 12/1 chance with Skybet. Saracens are missing; Hodgson, Farrell, Barritt and Strettle in the back line and so Short has been influential in recent weeks and scored a try in their win at Wasps last weekend. With no Alesana Tuilagi in the team for Leicester, Horacio Agulla is the most prominent player for the visitors and he is quoted at 12/1 with Ladbrokes while Matt Smith is a 14/1 shot with the same firm to cross the whitewash first in today’s match.

This match begins at 14.30 GMT on Sunday 19th February and all the action is broadcast live on Sky Sports 2.

Saracens v Leicester Tigers – Match Result Odds
Saracens v Leicester Tigers – Handicap Odds
Saracens v Leicester Tigers – Half-time/Full-time Betting
Saracens v Leicester Tigers – First Tryscorer Odds