Glasgow Warriors vs Northampton Prediction: Warriors can send Saints packing

Glasgow Warriors will be looking to make home advantage count when they entertain Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup on Friday night.

A cold and wet evening is forecast for Scotstoun, which is a shame because both of these sides like to play expansive rugby.

The Warriors have an impressive record on home soil and should be able to come out on top against an improving Northampton side.

Team News

Glasgow have made seven changes to the side who were well beaten by Munster in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.

The return of Scotland number eight Matt Fagerson is the biggest tweak to the Warriors’ starting line-up as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the club.

Other changes see Fagerson’s brother Zander come into the front row alongside the returning Jamie Bhatti.

Richie Gray missed the trip to Cork but returns to Glasgow’s second row while Scott Cummings moves to blindside flanker.

In the backs, Tom Jordan will make his first appearance for Glasgow in the Champions Cup and Huw Jones will partner Stafford McDowall in the centres.

Northampton head coach Phil Dowson has also made seven changes for Friday’s clash following his side’s impressive 18-12 win at Saracens last week.

Alex Waller, Curtis Langdon and Paul Hill form a new-look front row and are joined in the Saints’ pack by Alex Moon and Tom Lockett.

Courtney Lawes makes his fourth appearance of the season alongside Angus Scott-Young and Sam Graham in the back row.

England scrum-half Alex Mitchell returns to the Saints’ starting line-up for the trip to Glasgow. He partners Fin Smith in the halves for the visitors.

Match Odds

Glasgow are 4/9 to beat Northampton at Scotstoun on Friday night with Northampton 19/10 to kick off their European campaign off to a perfect start. The draw is a 20/1 chance.

Glasgow Warriors -9.5 on handicap @ 5/4

With four wins from their first four home games of the season, Glasgow continue to make Scotstoun a tough place to visit.

The Warriors’ returning Scotland contingent should certainly have a positive impact, with the Fagerson brothers and Gray expected to bring some grunt to Glasgow’s pack.

Jones will offer a threat at outside centre for the hosts but Northampton’s back may not be able to throw the ball around as freely as they may like given the forecast wet conditions in the Lowlands.

Whoever wins the battle at the breakdown is likely to come out on top and Glasgow’s home form suggests that they can get their Champions Cup campaign off to the perfect start.

There’s value to be had looking at the handicap markets and backing the Warriors to give up nine-and-a-half points is certainly worth considering at 5/4.

Check out the rest of our Rugby Union Betting Tips here.