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The Northampton Saints will take on Clermont in Pool 2 of the European Rugby Champions Cup. After 4 rounds, Clermont is leading the group and is fighting for the first place, while Northampton is last with no chance of qualification.
The Saints have been horrible lately, losing 11 out of their last 12 matches in all competitions. They are third to last in the Aviva Premiership and dead last in this European Champions Cup group, where they lost all their matches by an average difference of 22.3 points per game. Northampton`s only win in the last 12 matches actually came last weekend in the Premiership against a good Gloucester side, but that can`t realistically be considered a sign of better things to come.
Clermont, reigning French champions and Champions Cup finalists, have had a surprisingly poor season domestically, and are coming after a horrific 6-58 loss at Racing 92 (though it has to be said Clermont fielded a weakened lineup). The visitors are in the second half of the table in the French Top 14, but they have been much better in Europe. Clermont have played their vintage brand of rugby so far in the Champions Cup, winning all 4 games and leading the group.
Bet on Saints vs Clermont and claim your 100% (100 EUR) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news & lineups:
Both sides will miss a few players, more or less in equal numbers, but will field pretty much the strongest lineups available.
Northampton Saints: 15.Tuala, 14.Pisi, 13.Horne, 12.Stephenson, 11.Foden, 10.Mallinder, 9.Groom, 8.Harrisson, 7.Wood, 6.Lawes, 5.Day, 4.Ratuniyarawa, 3.Brookes, 2.Hartley, 1.Ma’afu
Clermont: 15.Toeava, 14.Abendanon, 13.Betham, 12.Lamerat, 11.Grosso, 10.McAllister, 9.Parra, 8.Lee, 7.Lapandry, 6.Chouly, 5.Vahaamahina, 4.Van der Merwe, 3.Slimani, 2.Kayser, 1.Falgoux
While Clermont will probably still reach the playoffs in the domestic competition, it`s rather clear that at the moment their focus is on the Champions Cup, where they can realistically go all the way (being one of the best teams in Europe). A win today would secure qualification and the first place in the group for them, so Clermont will go for it.
Northampton on the other hand has no chance for qualification and they will be more interested in getting their Premiership campaign back on track. The club is currently managed by interim coach Dickens, after the former manager was sacked in December.
French teams usually don`t travel very well, but Clermont has been great both home and away in this group. They are the better side and have more motivation, so the disadvantage of being on the road should pale in comparition to the other arguments in favor of the visitors.
Clermont should also be the fresher of the two sides, with key players set to come back after not playing last weekend in the Top 14, while Northampton will field pretty much the same lineup that ended their losing streak 7 days ago.
Back in October, when the Saints were playing much better rugby, they lost in France by 17 points, never really having a shot.
Clermont should have more than enough to win this game, they should dominate the forward battle and grind down this out of form Northampton side. My tip is Clermont to cover the -6 (asian) handicap. Prediction: Northampton Saints – Clermont 17 – 28.
Pick: Clermont -6
Odds: 1.96 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.68
Event date: 13 January
