Bristol Bears vs Gloucester Prediction: Bears too good for local rivals

Bristol and Gloucester have each lost five Premiership games in a row and need to find a way to get results in a bid to ignite their campaigns.

It could have been so different. Both sides won their opening two matches but have floundered since, hitting harrowing losing runs to plunge Pat Lam and George Skivington's coaching futures into serious doubt.

Lam's Bears were better in last Saturday's 39-31 defeat at Saracens, albeit the scoreline was unbalanced by Owen Farrell having a rare off day with the boot and missing six of his attempts at goal.

Skivington's Cherry and Whites also had moments in their 38-20 defeat to Leicester but still fell short, and it could be a similar case on Saturday.

Team News

Steven Luatua makes only his second appearance of the season for Bristol and starts at number eight, while Harry Thacker comes in at hooker in the second of two changes made by Lam.

Gloucester welcome back flanker Ruan Ackermann and full-back Lloyd Evans from injury and both are selected to go straight back into the XV.

Evans' return sees Santi Carreras move into his international position of fly-half where he partners scrum-half Stephen Varney after the Italy international missed the defeat to Leicester.

Match Odds

Bristol are 3/10 to snap their losing streak with a victory, with Gloucester 3/1 and the tie 25/1.

The Bears won last season's renewal 36-21 and another home victory by 12+ points is 18/1.

Bristol -8 @ 20/21

Bristol's poor form over the last few seasons, finishing 10th and ninth over the last two campaigns, is a mystery considering Lam's undoubted class as a coach and the star-studded squad available to him.

Their better showing against Saracens came on the back of a good display at Bath in which they missed a penalty to win the match.

Another derby against Gloucester could present the perfect chance to respond. The Cherry & Whites also recently endured a one-point defeat at Exeter, but were underwhelming against Leicester and injuries, notably to Zach Mercer, have further wounded an already thin squad.

Bristol won 36-21 when the pair last met in May and with them unbeaten at home in the league against Gloucester since winning promotion back to the top-flight in 2018, they can edge their neighbours again.

Under 49.5 Points @ 20/21

Bristol played with real freedom in that defeat at Sarries, but have been a bit more restrained at home, averaging 19.66 across their three games.

Similarly, Gloucester have recorded tallies of 18, 10 and 24 on the road.

The Cherry & Whites have tended to score points at Ashton Gate in recent years, running in three tries in last season's visit, but on a cold afternoon on the banks of the Avon, the awkward handling conditions may mean points will be at a premium.

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