Adam Williams presents his prediction for the European Rugby Champions Cup match.
Ahead of their Champions Cup campaign, Saracens, surprisingly, stumbled in the English Premiership against the seemingly easy-point-provider Newcastle Falcons. Fortunately, they won't need to travel to the Southern Hemisphere as they host the Bulls at the StoneX Stadium in London.
Saracens
The defeat to Newcastle Falcons (12:17) marked the third away loss in four games for Saracens, and they nearly slipped against Bristol Bears as well (37:35). Their home form isn't flawless either. In five home fixtures, Saracens have suffered one defeat — against Leicester Tigers (29:32) in the sixth round of the Premiership. Their upcoming opponents surpass the Tigers.
Vodacom Bulls
The team from Pretoria reached the final of the previous United Rugby Championship season and were quarter-finalists in the 2023/24 Champions Cup. Currently, after six matches in the same URC, the Bulls are third, having lost only in the fifth round to Scarlets (22:23), where the Welsh side clinched victory nine minutes before the end following a South African player’s send-off. Away games pose no issue for them — winning three out of four matches in the intercontinental championship.
Saracens vs Vodacom Bulls Prediction
In light of the Falcons defeat, even assuming it was a deliberate strategic sacrifice, Saracens' position appears somewhat vulnerable. These teams have clashed before in the Champions Cup group stages of that season. Although the match took place in South Africa, it is notable that the Bulls emerged victorious (27:16). On Saturday, their chances of winning will be slightly reduced, but the guests will put up a respectable fight.
