Bath vs Saracens Prediction: Hosts can capitalise on indifferent Sarries form

Saturday’s early fixture in the Premiership sees league leaders Bath host third-placed Saracens at the Recreation Ground (12:45 kick-off) in what is undoubtedly the highlight contest of the day.

Read on for my Bath vs Saracens prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Johann van Graan’s men have been in inspired form recently in the league, although their victory over Newcastle Falcons (40-15) last time out was their first in three matches in all competitions after losing to French sides Benetton (22-21) and Stade Rochelais (24-20) in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Sarries meanwhile are just five points behind Bath in the Premiership however two defeats from their last three domestic league fixtures - including a 17-12 loss to a Newcastle Falcons side that lost every match last season - indicates that they can be got at.

Team News

The hosts will be without centre Louie Hennessey for this contest after the 20-year-old was sent out on a short-term loan to United Rugby Championship side Cardiff  to help cover the festive fixtures.

Regan Grace is getting closer to full fitness but may miss out on the matchday squad once again and so Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir will be expected to keep their places on the wings.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall will be hoping that fly-half Fergus Burke can continue his strong form after he scored two tries and kicked three conversions in the victory over the Saints.

Captain Maro Itoje is fit and should start in the heart of the scrum once again for the Sarries while hooker Jamie George will be hoping for a return to the starting XV after scoring a try off the bench last time out.

Gallagher Premiership Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Gallagher Premiership page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match 

Match Odds

Bath are the favourites for victory in this contest at 4/9 whereas Saracens, who have won on three of their last four visits to the Recreation Ground, are 9/5 to come away with victory.

The draw provides odds of 20/1 while the hosts are also 6/5 on the -7 handicap.

Bath -4.5 Handicap @ 5/6

With Bath and Saracens occupying two of the top three in terms of both points scored and league points this season, this has all the makings of a tight yet entertaining encounter.

However, it may well be the hosts that come out on top in this contest given that van Graan’s side have won seven of their eight Premiership fixtures this season - the only blemish being a 36-26 loss to second-placed Bristol back in October.

Sarries edged to a 15-12 victory at the Recreation Ground last season however they have looked weak on occasion when playing away from the StoneX this campaign - losing three of their last five on the road in all competitions.

This could be key in allowing Bath to take control of this contest and, with only Bristol (26) scoring more tries than Bath (24) in the Premiership this season, they look a viable option to overturn the minus handicap by getting over the try line.

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