Bristol vs Saracens Prediction: Sarries to leave Bears’ den with the spoils

Saracens tasted their first defeat of the Premiership season last time out against Harlequins, but they can respond on Saturday when they make the trip to Ashton Gate to face the Bristol Bears (kick-off 15:05).

Read on for my Bristol vs Saracens prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Sarries enjoyed a perfect start to the season before their 17-10 defeat at the Twickenham Stoop last Sunday and Mark McCall’s side hit the road again this week with a trip to the West Country.

Bristol have been involved in some high-scoring shootouts this season and edged a 40-35 thriller away to Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park in their last outing.

Saracens look like serious title contenders again this season and, considering their strong record against Bristol, they will be hoping to put the Bears to the sword.

Team News

Bristol duo Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Steven Luatua miss out after failing late fitness tests but are expected to feature in the Bears’ next game against reigning champions Northampton Saints.

Boss Pat Lam is boosted by the returns of prop Ellis Genge and scrum-half Harry Randall after their recent England call-ups for the Autumn Nations Series.

There is also a return for Toby Fricker on the wing. He is joined in the back three by Gabriel Ibitoye and full-back Rich Lane.

McCall has made no less than seven changes from the Saracens side who suffered defeat at Quins.

Theo Dan replaces Jamie George at hooker and is joined by Rhys Carre and Marco Riccioni in the front row.

Scotland back-rower Andy Onyeama-Christie suffered a horrific ankle injury against Quins and will undergo surgery early next week, while Juan Martin Gonzalez and Ben Earl also picked up minor knocks.

Theo McFarland, Toby Knight and Tom Willis form the back row, while scrum-half Ivan Van Zyl is joined by veteran Andy Goode in the half-backs with fly-half Fergus Burke carrying a hamstring injury.

Josh Hallett joins Alex Lozowski in the centres, while the back three is made up of Rotimi Segun and Tobias Elliott on the wings with Elliot Daly at full-back.

Bristol vs Saracens Odds

Despite playing at home, Bristol are the 13/10 underdogs going into Saturday’s game, while Saracens are the 4/6 favourites to leave the West Country with the victory.

A draw at Ashton Gate is currently available at 18/1.

Saracens -6 handicap @ 13/10

Sarries have been the dominant force in this fixture, winning all of their last six Premiership clashes with the Bears.

These sides last met in May at Ashton Gate, where Saracens ran out 41-20 winners.

Another high-scoring game might well be on the cards on Saturday, especially with Bristol’s less-than-convincing defensive record of late.

The Bears have shipped 105 points in their last three games and Sarries look good value to not only win at Ashton Gate but also cover a -6 points handicap in the process.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.