Rugby betting: Guinness Premiership - Sale vs Leicester

One of the most mouth-watering fixtures in the Premiership takes place this weekend, with Sale hosting Leicester in Stockport in the 2.45pm kick-off live on Sky Sports 2. The Sharks' fly-half, Charlie Hodgson, goes head-to-head with opposite number Andy Goode in a contest that has gained further significance these past weeks. The illuminating displays of tyro No 10s Danny Cipriani for Wasps and Ryan Lamb for Gloucester, along with the imminent return from a hand injury of the exciting Shane Geraghty for London Irish, has made the pivot position one of the most hotly contested in the League. Present England incumbent, Jonny Wilkinson, will need to be on his A-game over the next few weeks to seal his selection at fly-half for the Six Nations now Brian Ashton has been given the go-ahead by the RFU to take the Red Rose to New Zealand 2011. For those who are yet to be hooked by Sunday's clash, the match-up between former All Black centres Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger is enough to get any rugby enthusiast's pulse racing. McAlister has been sublime since he put on a Sale shirt, and his vision and silky handling have set up several tries for the Sharks. Mauger is a more dependable sort however, and his tactical awareness and kicking, along with Goode's monster boot, should see Leicester approach this fixture with a focus on percentage play. The Tigers struggled to break down Toulouse in their recent double-header with the Kings of Europe, and although Sale are not quite on a level pegging with the French side, Philippe Saint Andre has moulded a formidable outfit in the north-west. Edgeley Park is not really what you would call a fortress - Sale lost five times in the League there last season - and Leicester will be fancying their chances of at least staying in touch. The odds reflect this situation however, and Bet365's 8/11 about the home side fully reflects their marginal superiority over Leicester at home. Given the talent, and attacking philosophy of both sides, it is hardly surprising that five of the last six Premiership matches between the two have featured more than 50 points. Punters looking to bet on a high-scoring fixture are therefore on solid ground here, but the best value in the match may lie with the first scoring play market. Sale rely heavily on the boot of Charlie Hodgson at Edgeley Park, and it is uncanny how many times they look to him to open the scoring for them. A Sale penalty is 6/4 with Bet365, but given how Hodgson has also looked to score with drop goals this season - he leads the league drop goals table with five this season - the 25/1 on offer with Bet365, is no forlorn hope. Verdict: 1pt first scoring play a Sale drop goal 25/1 (Bet365)