Bristol vs Newcastle Falcons Prediction: Bears to take down Falcons

Looking to keep the pace at the top end of the Premiership table is Bristol Bears, who seek a bonus-point victory when they play hosts to Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate on Sunday (15:00, TNT Sports Extra).

Read on for my Bristol vs Newcastle Falcons prediction, complete with the match odds and team news at time of publication.

Bristol vs Newcastle Falcons Odds

Bristol Bears are the overwhelming favourites to claim the win on Sunday at 1/80, while Newcastle are out at 14/1 to earn a shock victory at Ashton Gate.

A draw in the West Country this weekend is available currently at odds of 28/1.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Bristol have a front row consisting of Yann Thomas, Gabriel Oghre and Max Lahiff, while locks James Dun and Joe Owen also start.

Santiago Grondona, Fitz Harding and Viliame Mata form the back row, with the duo of Kieran Marmion and Harry Byrne in the half-backs.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Joe Jenkins start in the centres, while the back three is made up of Kalaveti Ravouvou, Noah Heward and Rich Lane.

As for Newcastle, the Falcons have Adam Brocklebank, Jamie Blamore and Murray McCallum in the front row, with locks Sebastian de Chaves and Kiran McDonald in the engine room.

The half-backs consist of Sam Stuart and Brett Connon, with Max Clark and Alex Hearle in the centres.

Ben Stevenson, Max Pepper and Elliot Obatoyinbo complete the backline for the visitors.

Bristol -27 @ 5/4

Bristol have lost prop Ellis Genge and scrum-half Harry Randall to England duty ahead of the Six Nations, but they still have the strength in depth to secure a comfortable win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Newcastle have made improvements from last season, but they are still struggling to cope with the level of Premiership rugby this term.

Losing their last away game in the competition at Northampton Saints 61-0 shows the gulf that exists between the Falcons and some of the other teams in the Premiership.

Bristol will have to deal with international players away for the next few weeks, but with the experience of Irishman Byrne at fly-half they have a talented playmaker in a key position who can get them around the field this weekend.

The last time Newcastle rocked up at Ashton Gate it was a game to forget for the Falcons, as they went on to lose 85-14 against the Bears back in April.

While injuries and international players missing for the hosts should mean a less one-sided contest takes place in Bristol this weekend, the Bears should have enough power in the forwards and attacking threat in the backs to overcome the -27 handicap on offer here.

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