Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints: Tom Vickers' big match preview

Fixture: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Saints cruised past Leicester back in November, but plenty has changed since thenSaints cruised past Leicester back in November, but plenty has changed since then
Saints cruised past Leicester back in November, but plenty has changed since then

Competition: Gallagher Premiership (round 20)

Venue: Welford Road, Leicester

Date and kick-off time: Sunday, September 13, 2020, 2pm

Weather forecast: 21c, sunny

Live television coverage: BT Sport 1

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Murimurivalu, Porter, Scott, Nadolo; Henry, B Youngs; Gigena, T Youngs (c), Cole; Lavanini, Green; Wells, Wallace, Liebenberg.

Replacements: Clare, Genge, Leatigaga, Smith, Taufua, White, McPhillips, Potter.

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Saints: Furbank; Tuala, Proctor, Hutchinson, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Mitchell; van Wyk, Fish, Franks; Ratuniyarawa, Ribbans; Lawes, Ludlam, Harrison (c).

Replacements: Haywood, Iyogun, Hill, Moon, Isiekwe, Tonks, Taylor, Dingwall.

Outs: Saints: Nick Auterac (hip flexor), Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (achilles), Alex Coles (ankle), Tom Collins (foot), Harry Mallinder (knee), Ollie Sleightholme (hamstring), Connor Tupai (wrist), Alex Waller (achilles), Tom Wood (pulmonary embolism).

Most recent meeting: Saturday, November 30, 2019: Northampton Saints 36 Leicester Tigers 13 (Gallagher Premiership)

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Tom's preview: In years gone by, a trip to Welford Road would have been a nightmare prospect for a struggling Saints side.

But this Sunday, it could just prove to be the perfect tonic.

That is because although Saints have been finding life tough of late, Tigers have arguably found it even tougher.

They suffered their record Premiership defeat in midweek, slumping to a 54-7 loss at Wasps.

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And although Saints were also heavily beaten in their most recent match, at Bristol Bears on Tuesday, there wasn't quite the same feeling of heartache.

They were in the game at 21-10 down, having bossed the formative stages of the second half, but they had to sacrifice a man after losing two loosehead props and their chances went up in smoke.

It's fair to say both teams are nowhere near where they want to be going into an East Midlands derby that has produced some classic matches over the years.

It was only seven years ago that these teams were facing each other in the Premiership showpiece at Twickenham.

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Now they are finding it difficult to even finish in the top six.

But with the players Saints have at their disposal this weekend, they really should expect better.

And after three successive wins at Welford Road, they have to believe they can get the win they need ahead of next weekend's Champions Cup quarter-final.

Welford Road, which will be eerily empty this weekend, was such an unhappy hunting ground for so long for Saints.

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They didn't win there for more than 11 years after Mark Robinson's try helped them prevail in February 2007.

Controversial clash after controversial clash cost them dear.

But then, finally, they broke the Leicester stranglehold.

The Tigers stopped stomping their feet all over Saints' dreams of victory as a team led by Alan Dickens and Alan Gaffney earned a special 27-21 success in April 2018.

Since then, the black, green and gold have bagged the bragging rights on two further occasions.

And how they need to do so again this weekend.

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Saints have won just two of their past 11 matches, sliding down the league standings at a rapid rate.

They have gone from top-two chasers to mid-table stragglers, but they still have the talent to beat Tigers on Sunday.

It would put them in a better position to try to salvage their season at Sandy Park next Sunday.

And it would be something to cheer about for fans who have suffered in front of their television sets on too many occasions of late.

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Tom's prediction: Saints haven't got the wins they want for some months now, but they really should get one here. They have named a team that is more than capable. Now they need to turn potential into points. Leicester Tigers 15 Saints 25.