Bath vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Tigers can take the Rec

The top two in the Premiership meet on Saturday at 17:30 as leaders Bath host Leicester Tigers at the Rec. Read on for Bath vs Leicester Tigers prediction, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Bath put the kids out for last weekend's 36-14 derby defeat to Bristol in the Bears' 'Big Day Out' fixture in Cardiff, while the Tigers made it three wins on the spin by roaring back from 26-16 down at the break to beat Sale 44-34.

That result means victory on Saturday could seal a home semi-final and they might just get what they want.

They won last season's edition of this fixture 25-24 and after a big week following the news of former lock Geoff Parling's appointment as the club's new head coach from this summer, the Tigers can take the Rec for the second straight season.

Team News

Hooker Tom Dunn will become Bath's record appearance-maker in the Premiership as he turns out for the 183rd time to surpass David Barnes.

After rotating at Bristol, star half-backs Ben Spencer, who captains the home side, and Finn Russell, will look to run the game in a team similar to the one that might face Lyon in next Friday's Challenge Cup final. Centre Max Ojomoh also returns from injury to feature off the bench.

For Leicester, full-back Freddie Steward will make his 100th start for the club in an unchanged XV from the one that beat Sale.

The Tigers' only alteration to their matchday 23 comes on the bench, where Will Hurd is included as cover at tighthead prop. If Hurd plays, he will mark his 50th appearance for the club, while it will also be the same for Jamie Shillcock, should he be called on as a replacement.

Bath vs Leicester Tigers Odds

Bath are 4/11 to win on home soil, with the draw 18/1. The handicap is set at eight points, while the Tigers are the 23/10 underdogs.

Leicester Tigers to win @ 9/4

Like Saracens, who finish the campaign at home to Bath, the fixtures might be panning out perfectly for Leicester, who have this match on Saturday and then take on bottom club Newcastle on the final day.

After a tough 2023/24 under Dan McKellar, his fellow Australian Michael Cheika has steadied the ship and has the Tigers playing a more balanced style of rugby.

Cheika was always going to leave after one season, but will hand over the reins to former Leicester lock Parling with the team looking strong, albeit facing one significant question mark.

As far as we know, the club has yet to sign a replacement for departing fly-half Handre Pollard, who has proved he is more than the dead-eyed kicker he has shown himself to be in South Africa's 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup wins by instigating some brilliant attacking rugby while at Welford Road.

The 31-year-old's record of winning silverware means he will see it as his mission to get Leicester to the Twickenham Grand Final on June 14.

With players like mid-season signing Adam Radwan and the Premiership's top tryscorer Ollie Hassell-Collins outside him, Pollard can pick and choose his moments and inspire his side to a victory that could see them emulate Bath in claiming a home semi-final.

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