Leicester are back on home soil this weekend © Getty Images

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Matches: Leicester Tigers 27 - 16 Northampton Saints

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Leicester Tigers | Northampton Saints

The Aviva Premiership's top two clash at Welford Road on Saturday as midlands rivals Leicester and Northampton collide in what should be a classic encounter.

The Tigers currently sit two points clear at the top following a productive festive period and Northampton have the unenviable task of attempting to bounce back from a shock home defeat to Harlequins at the home of their fiercest rivals.

Jim Mallinder's men have two games in hand on their rivals and remain in the box seat as the play-off race hots up but they will be acutely aware of Leicester's ability to generate momentum as they look to silence the Welford Road faithful.

Leicester - Player to Watch: The Saints have been making mincemeat of opposition scrums in recent weeks and Martin Castrogiovanni has been anointed as the Tiger to stop them. The Italian tight-head's battle with Soane Tonga'uiha will be massive.

Leicester - Team News: The Tigers have made four changes to their side, with Castrogiovanni joined in the pack by lock George Skivington and back-rower Thomas Waldrom. England's Toby Flood is drafted in at fly-half.

Northampton - Player to Watch: Chris Ashton is a man born to perform on the big stages and for the Saints fans this is just about the biggest of them all.

Northampton - Team News: Saints boss Jim Mallinder has been forced to make one change following an injury to scrum-half Lee Dickson, who is facing several weeks out with a dislocated shoulder. Ryan Powell starts in the No.9 jersey as a result, with Stuart Commins on the bench.

Key Battle: Leicester have had their issues in the second-row so far this season due to a spate of injuries and Christian Day and Courtney Lawes will want to get on top at the lineout in order to starve the home side of the ball.

Trivia: Northampton have not done the double over Leicester since the 2003-04 season.

Stats: Northampton are unbeaten in their last five away games in all competitions and have not lost back to back games since April.

Quote Unquote:

"They are always keenly-fought games, the local rivalry is there and also the two teams are up at the top of the table. Saints are a good side, they've been in good form across the season, they've been the best side in the Premiership without a doubt." - Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

"We will certainly have to play a lot better than last week if we want to come home with something. Leicester have been getting good results in the past couple of weeks and have threats all over the field that we will have to watch out for." - Saints boss Jim Mallinder calls for improvement.

Fantasy: Scott Hamilton may be absent but Alesana Tuilagi has been racking up the points in the ESPNscrum Fantasy Rugby Game so far this season.

Prediction: It will be a humdinger of an encounter but a sell-out home crowd will swing this one the way of the Tigers.