Gloucester vs Newcastle Red Bulls Prediction: Cherry and Whites to put on a final-day show

Two of the Premiership's bottom three sides meet in Saturday's final round at Kingsholm, as Gloucester play host to Newcastle Red Bulls.

Both teams have cause for optimism, with the Cherry and Whites' decision to revamp their coaching set-up in the spring, rather than wait for the summer, bringing about an upturn in performances, if not always results. Below are my Gloucester vs Newcastle Red Bulls prediction, along with team news and Betfred's match odds.

For Gloucester, wins over Exeter and Sale have been followed by encouraging displays in defeats to Saracens and Northampton, and there is a feeling that they are already in a stronger position to push for the play-offs next season.

Newcastle are adrift at the bottom of the table but beat Gloucester 25-19 at home in January and secured their second victory of the season last Saturday, coming from behind to beat Sale 45-42.

The Red Bulls' squad is set to be revolutionised in the off-season, with 28 players leaving and 30, including Hoskins Sotutu and Raffi Quirke, due to arrive.

More will be expected of the Tynesiders next season, but while they have won twice at home this term, they have lost all eight away fixtures and conceded an average of 52 points.

Team News

Lock Mato Alemanno will make his 100th and final appearance for Gloucester, packing down in the second row alongside Arthur Clarke.

There is a slight tweak behind the scrum, where Ben Loader and Ollie Thorley swap wings, with Thorley returning to his familiar number 11 shirt.

Last week's hat-trick hero, centre Alex Hearle, makes his 50th appearance for Newcastle, having recently been named the club's Players' Player of the Season and Attacker of the Season.

The Red Bulls have made three changes, with Freddie Lockwood included at number eight after scoring a try on his return from injury against Sale.

Murray McCallum is included at tighthead prop, while Elliott Obatoyinbo is named on the left wing in his last appearance for the club.

Gloucester vs Newcastle Red Bulls Odds

Gloucester are the 1/16 favourites for Saturday's game, with Newcastle priced at 7/2 and the tie can be backed at 22/1.

The handicap mark is 22 points, with Gloucester -22 priced at 10/11

Gloucester -25 @ 5/4

Gloucester have been so much better in recent months and key appointments have freed George Skivington up to concentrate on coaching.

The side has benefited and while key players like Alemanno, Tomos Williams and Nepo Laulala are leaving, the board have adopted a quality-over-quantity approach to transfers, with Wales pair Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan among six players recruited.

Of Gloucester's four wins this season, three have come at home and they have won on six of the last seven occasions the teams have clashed at Kingsholm, most recently a 36-7 victory in October 2024, while they recorded a 54-14 success in May of the same year.

Skivington's side have won their last two at home, beating Exeter 34-31 and Sale 21-15.

A healthier Kingsholm victory beckons against a Newcastle side that has again struggled away from Kingston Park all season.