Leinster vs Northampton Saints Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions Cup

Prediction published on 03/05/2024, 06:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 04/05/2024 at 04:30 in Champions Cup Prediction

Leinster host Northampton Saints looking to reach a third successive European Rugby Champions Cup final. The Irish side are the second seeds in the knockout stages with the visitors a place below them. Leinster have won this competition four times in the past but it could easily be seven. The last two seasons have seen them lose in the final to La Rochelle but by an aggregate score of just four points. They also got to the final in 2019 and lost that by three points. This season has seen them get revenge on La Rochelle with wins over them in both the pool stages and the quarter-finals. They have won all six of their matches in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup. The knockout stages have also seen them beat Leicester Tigers. They are second in the United Rugby Championships, four points behind leaders Glasgow Warriors. Home form is strong with six of their seven home games won and four in this competition.

This is a repeat of the 2011 final that was won 33-22 by Leinster. Northampton Saints have won the European Rugby Champions Cup but that was 24 years ago. They are top of the English Premiership but would love this match to be played at home rather than at Croke Park in Dublin, It may not be the regular home venue for Leinster but they'll have massive support from a very partizan crowd. Northampton won Pool C to qualify for the knockout stages. They have had home wins over Munster and Bulls to reach the last four. This looks a step too far and we tip Leinster to get the win.