Sale vs Bristol
Sale Sharks play host to Bristol at the Salford Community Stadium in the opening Premiership match of 2024. The home side looked set to enter the new year at the top of the table but wins for Northampton and Bath saw them drop to third. They will be looking for a win in this match that will take them back to the top. Bristol on the other hand are in a disappointing eighth spot after their loss to the Exeter Chiefs in the last match. The visitors seem to have adopted a new strategy of kicking away possession but that has backfired because of their poor defence.
TIP: The Sharks will do well to attack Bristol from the back as the visitors have been porous in defence especially in their last match. The home team strength is their forwards and have the most physical team in the league but they also have deadly runners in Aaron Reed and Peter Roebuck. The home team will need their midfield defence to be in top form to combat the explosive Bristol centers, Virimi Vakatawa and Benhard Janse van Rensburg. The bookies have the Sale as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.28 Gbets 1.29 and Hollywoodbets 1.28
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Sale vs Bristol
- The Sale Sharks have won four of the last five matches between the teams.
- The home team has lost the last two matches between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
Sale Sharks lost 21-17 to the Saints in their last match while Bristol lost 24-14 to the Chiefs in their last match.
PREDICTION
Sale have been flawless at home this season with five straight wins while Bristol have won just two of their away matches this season. The home team have been superbly led around the park by George Ford. The England pivot has managed to get his impressive backline going forward with aplomb. Bristol will be looking to their number ten Callum Sheedy to regain the form that saw him represent Wales. He has struggled to adapt to the new kicking game plan and looks at his best when his team run the ball. The match will be decided in the forwards and this is where Sale have the major advantage. I am predicting a home win by more than 15 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Sale
15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Arron Reed, 13 Sam James, 12 Rob Du Preez, 11 Peter Roebuck, 10 George Ford (captain), 9 Gus Warr, 8 Daniel Du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd.
Bristol
15 Max Malins, 14 Gabriel Ibitoye, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Rich Lane, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Fitz Harding (captain), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Joe Batley, 4 James Dun, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Jake Woolmore
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Sale victory are as follows:
Betway 1.28
Gbets 1.29
Hollywoodbets 1.28
Odds comparison on the Sale handicap:
The complete odds on the Sale handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-9.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-9.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-9.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Sale outright win but if you are looking for better odds then we suggest backing the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-9.5), Gbets 1.87 (-9.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-9.5)
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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.
