Bath vs Newcastle Falcons Prediction: No worries for much-changed hosts

Steve Diamond has described Bath as the Premiership's Galacticos in the build-up to Newcastle's trip to The Rec, and despite their hosts making wholesale changes, the Falcons could be in big trouble on Saturday (15:00, TNT Sports Extra).

Below are my Bath vs Newcastle Falcons predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Bath lead the league by 15 points and are all but guaranteed a play-off spot as they aim to go one better than last season's Grand Final defeat to Northampton Saints at Twickenham.

With the Premiership Rugby Cup already in the bag and a semi-final of the European Challenge Cup to come, Johann van Graan's side are chasing a treble and are deemed 22 points better than the Falcons in the handicap 3-way.

Newcastle are bottom of the table but went close against Saints last Friday. However, they have failed to win away from home this season, and even with Finn Russell among the home players left out of the starting XV, it is tough to see anything other than a big victory for the hosts.

Bath vs Newcastle Falcons Odds

Despite making wholesale changes, Bath are just 1/28 to win on Saturday, with the draw 28/1 and Newcastle 10/1 for a rare away success.

Team News

Bath have named England prop Will Stuart at tighthead, while Charlie Ewels captains the team from the second row alongside the incoming Quinn Roux, and Ted Hill, Sam Underhill and Alfie Barbeary form a new-look back row.

There are also changes behind the pack with scrum-half Tom Carr-Smith partnering fly-half Ciaran Donoghue, who makes his league debut, while Will Butt's inclusion at inside centre sees Cameron Redpath slide out to 13 and wing Louie Hennessey and full-back Austin Emens also start.

Russell is named on the bench as part of a six-two split and may not be used as Van Graan plans for next Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final against Edinburgh.

Rugby Union Odds

Newcastle have made two changes from their defeat to Northampton. Full-back Louis Brown comes in for Elliott Obatoyinbo following a head knock, while Richard Palframan starts at tighthead prop.

Lock Oscar Usher could also make his debut after being included among the replacements.

Bath -24 handicap @ 11/10

The top scorers with the best defence, Bath's big-spending owners look close to getting what they want by finally winning the Premiership.

The Blue, Black and White haven't won the English title since 1995/96, losing their three previous Grand Final trips to HQ.

However, after their reserves claimed the Premiership Rugby Cup in March, the first team has kicked on, winning their last five fixtures, two in the Challenge Cup and three times in the Premiership.

The most recent was last Saturday's 26-24 victory at Exeter when they thwarted a late Chiefs' onslaught.

At the other end of the spectrum, Newcastle's relatively meagre resources mean they sit bottom of the table and are expected to fill that berth in the final standings for the third straight season.

Judging by money spent, Diamond has worked wonders at Kingston Park, but their season is built on home results, and they have not won away in the league in the last two seasons.

The Falcons have also lost their last seven games against Bath, including 41-29 in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals.

Diamond fielded a strong side that day, but they were still undone by Bath's second string, which illustrates why there are 49 points between the sides and four games still to play.

Bath's last home game was a 61-26 Challenge Cup victory over Gloucester, and even without some of their big names from the off, another decent victory could be on the agenda.

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