Adam Williams presents his prediction for the English Premiership rugby match.
Did you know that Newcastle Falcons nearly secured a victory this autumn? It happened in a friendly against their rivals Sale Sharks a month ago (40-39). That was a high-paced and entertaining contest, but don't expect the same now. This will be a battle for results.
Sale Sharks
In Round 3, the Sharks held on for a win against Gloucester Rugby (31:27), even without George Ford. They found themselves defending more, especially in the second half: their 219 tackles compared to 86 highlight this. Rob du Preez stepped in for George Ford, and although his accuracy was just 60%, it was enough for the victory and even a bonus point. Winger Tom Roebuck and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie both put in stellar performances, each scoring two tries.
Newcastle Falcons
Expecting Newcastle Falcons to triumph over Leicester Tigers was ambitious, but the scale of their defeat was significant: they lost by a 30-point margin (10:42). They were torn apart on the wings. The Falcons scored their only try with a two-man advantage, and they could only match Leicester Tigers in terms of carries—117 to 121.
Sale Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons Prediction
The Falcons might put up a fight in friendlies, but in competitive settings, they've only managed to overcome the Sharks in the Premiership Cup when the opponents fielded their second team (23:10). In the league, they've lost three consecutive matches, each by at least 18 points. Victory will go to Sale Sharks, leaving no room for surprise or intrigue here.
