Bath vs Gloucester Prediction: Cherry and Whites can keep it tight
Premiership leaders Bath resume their quest to go one better than last season when they host derby rivals Gloucester on Sunday afternoon (15:00).
Read on for my Bath vs Gloucester prediction, featuring the latest odds and team news.
Bath are 2/11 to claim a fifth home league win of the season, with Gloucester 4/1 for a third away victory and the draw 25/1.
Team News
Bath welcome back Finn Russell and the fly-half will partner scrum-half Ben Spencer in the playmaking roles.
With Ollie Lawrence injured, Cameron Redpath and Max Ojomoh team up in the centres, while England international prop Will Stuart is on the bench.
Max Llewellyn returns for Gloucester and features in the back three alongside Christian Wade and George Martin.
Santi Carreras, who has agreed to join Bath in the summer, will start at fly-half in place of the injured Gareth Anscombe.
Gloucester +12 @ 1/1
It has been two months since these teams last played in the Premiership, but with the Six Nations in the rearview mirror, the season starts now, with domestic and continental trophies to be dished out.
Bath's youngsters ended the club's wait for silverware at Sandy Park and while Van Graan has brought back the majority of his big guns for their Premiership return, confidence will be high within the squad and last weekend's success will also boost competition for places.
There is a real feeling that Bath can win the Grand Final for the first time and claim their first English title since 1995-96.
A home win at the Rec looks likely against a team they have beaten in the last four meetings. However, before last season's 17-10 reverse at the Rec, Gloucester had won three in a row away to Bath.
They also have some players returning from the Six Nations in good form, with Llewellyn enjoying a particularly strong season, scoring seven tries in the league and making more clean breaks (25) than anyone else in the division.
Sunday's match looks set to be a real derby ding-dong and while backing 4/1 for the away win looks to be a stretch, the visitors might just be underrated in the handicap market.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Click the link for all the latest Rugby Union Odds
Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights
Share Article
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
