Bristol Bears vs Bath
This season has seen a horror start for the Bears who find themselves last on the log without a single point. Bath is not much better but has two losing bonus points. Bristol topped the log table last season so it’s a long fall from those lofty heights. They are renowned for attacking from anywhere on the field but this season they have lacked continuity in attack. They are missing their Fijian maestro Semi Radradra who should be available this week after quarantine issues. Their pack is another issue as they have struggled at both lineouts and in the scrum. Teams have worked out that Bristol has no answer to the rush defence and they will need to find a way around this. Bath has injury concerns with first choice half backs Danny Cipriani and Ben Spence missing the last match. They looked devoid of ideas without these two players.
TIP: The Bristol team will want more from flyhalf Callum Sheedy as he has looked flat in the opening two games. His partnership with Andy Uren has not worked and maybe we will see a change at 9 this week. Radradra will be available and this will transform the Bears backline as he can create line breaks at will and always seems to find the off load. Bath will have their hands full containing him but they have shown in their two losses that they never give up and the losing bonus points are proof of this. They are also struggling with out of form players like Semesa Rokoduguni. He was touted as a future international but has been very poor recently. In the last match he dropped a sitter with an open tryline in front of him. The bookies have Bristol as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.33, Playabets 1.26 and Sunbet 1.27
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bristol Bears vs Bath
- Bristol has won four of the last five matches against Bath.
- The Bears have won their last four home games against Bath.
- The last time Bath beat Bristol at Ashton Gate was in 2017.
Latest results for both teams
Bristol lost their last match 44-8 to Wasps while Bath lost their last match 20-13 to Newcastle.
PREDICTION
Bristol need to get their attacking game flowing as this is their strength. This is only possible if their forward pack can give them good ball. Another Bears player that needs to improve is Nathan Hughes. Not long ago he was playing for England but he has looked a shadow of his former self as his carriers are not making any metres. The Bath team has an inexperienced halfback pairing who lack game management and more importantly are very weak at linking up the backline. They are missing Cipriani and will be hoping that he is fit for this clash or else I see another defeat for them. The desperation of the Bears and a full house at Ashton Gates makes me predict a home win by more than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Bristol Bears
15 Charles Piutau, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12, Semi Radradra 11 Ioan Lloyd, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Yann Thomas
Bath
15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Muir, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Ollie Fox, 8 Josh Bayliss, 7 Tom Ellis, 6 Miles Reid, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 4, Mike Williams, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Juan Schoeman
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Bristol Bears victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.33
Playabets 1.26
Sunbet 1.27
Odds comparison on the Bristol Bears handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Bristol Bears handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-8.5) 1.87
Playabets (-8.5) 1.80
Predictions and Odds in details
Bristol have major attacking weapons none more so than Charles Piutau. In a losing cause he has been excellent always beating the first defender but will want to get his off loads away which will guarantee a Bears win. Both these teams don’t have the strongest packs and are evenly matched. Bath has struggled without back row star Zach Mercer who has moved to greener pastures. They need to find a replacement for him sooner rather than later. One of their newer players Max Ojomoh has been a shining light in their last defeat. Not only did he score a try but was one of the few players to get over the advantage line. He has both speed and power making him very dangerous. The bookies are offering poor returns on the Bears outright victory therefore I suggest the value bet on the Bristol handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-8.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-8.5) 1.87 and Playabets (-8.5) 1.80
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
