Bristol vs Gloucester Prediction: Bears to show their claws

Gallagher Prem action is back on the menu on Friday night (19:45 BST, live on TNT Sports 1) with rivals Bristol Bears and Gloucester going toe-to-toe at Ashton Gate.

Alex Jack provides his Bristol vs Gloucester predictions, complete with all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the West Country.

Bristol vs Gloucester Odds

Bristol are the heavy 1/9 favourites to claim the bragging rights, while Gloucester are the 6/1 underdogs to make the short trip home with a memorable victory.

A draw at Ashton Gate is 22/1, while 71 or more points to be scored in this game is currently available at 19/10.

Team News

Bristol have named a formidable front row of Ellis Genge, Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska, with James Dun and Joe Batley in the second row.

Joe Owen, Fitz Harding and Benjamin Grondona form the back row, with Kieran Marmion and Tom Jordan in the half-backs.

James Williams partners Benhard Janse van Rensburg in the centres, while the Bears have a back three of Gabriel Ibitoye, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Richard Lane.

As for the visitors, Gloucester have Dian Bleuler, Seb Blake and Afolabi Fasogbon in the front row, with locks Danny Eite and Arthur Clark in behind.

Deian Gwynne, Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement start in the back row, with Caolan Englefield and Charlie Atkinson the half-back pairing.

Seb Atkinson and Max Llewellyn form a strong centre duo, with Ollie Thorley, Josiah Edwards-Giraud and George Barton in the back three for the Cherry & Whites.

Bristol -17 @ 20/21

Bristol have been in rotten form of late but they can finally get back to winning ways on Friday night and bag some local bragging rights in the process.

The Bears have lost their last seven games in all competitions but a rare victory should be on the horizon against a Gloucester side who have managed just two wins in the Gallagher Prem this season.

Winning just two of their last eight away games, the Cherry & Whites have struggled on the road and injuries have certainly not helped their cause.

The loss of Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum-half Tomos Williams ahead of this game is a major blow for the visitors.

Bristol are missing some stars of their own but crucially they have the likes of Genge, Oghre and Kloska in the front row.

Looking to take the battle to the Cherry & Whites, expect the Bears to dominate the breakdown and set-piece in this game.

With Scotland international Jordan pulling the strings in the No.10 jersey and with the likes of Ibitoye, Ravouvou and Lane in the wide channels, the Bears look capable of not only winning but covering the substantial -17 handicap in the process.

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