Bristol vs Bath Prediction: Bears won’t enjoy Bath time

While excitement grows ahead of the opening weekend of the Autumn Nations Series, there’s Prem Rugby Cup action to take in on Friday night (19:45 BST) as rivals Bristol Bears and Bath go head-to-head in a West Country derby.

Below are my Bristol vs Bath predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle at Ashton Gate.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Bristol go with Sam Grahamslaw, Tomas Gwilliam and Jimmy Halliwell in the front row, with locks Paddy Pearce and Joe Owen in the second row.

Back-rowers Luka Ivanishvili, Kofi Cripps and Benjamin Grondona complete the pack, while Sam Wolstenholme and Raff Weston start in the half-backs.

Victor Worsnip and Jack Bates combine in the centres, with Aidan Boshoff, Josh Carrington and Mat Protheroe starting in the back three for the Bears.

As for Bath, the visitors go with Scott Kirk, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Vilikesa Sela in the front row, with locks Will Jeanes and skipper Ewan Richards in the engine room.

Arthur Green, Ethan Staddon and Alfie Barbeary start in the back row, with Neil le Roux and Tom de Glanville in the half-backs.

Will Butt and Chris Harris are the centre partnership, while Bath go with a back three of Charlie Griffin, Tyler Offiah and Jack Woods.

Bristol vs Bath Odds

Bristol are 2/1 to claim the victory on Friday night, while Bath are 2/5 to head back with the win and the bragging rights.

A draw at Ashton Gate is currently available at odds of 18/1.

Bath - 5 handicap @ 10/11

This could well end up being a one-sided affair at Ashton Gate, with Bath fans likely to be the ones smiling come the full-time whistle on Friday night.

While both teams are missing their international stars, Bristol’s recent spate of injuries means it’s a largely inexperienced side that will take the field in this Prem Rugby Cup clash.

Bath, in the meantime, have experienced players littered around the side that should see them get over the line and cover the handicap in this West Country derby.

Just looking at the centres, Butt has played 66 games for Bath, scoring seven tries, while he has a former British & Irish Lion outside him in the form of Scotland international Harris.

De Glanville is used to playing in the back three, but he has featured before at fly-half and can do a job in the No.10 jersey.

Knowing the attacking threats outside him, De Glanville shouldn’t feel like he must produce a Finn Russell-style performance to get Bath over the line in this one.

Griffin, Offiah and Woods will be dangerous in the wide channels, and, with a pack including experienced heads Richards and Barbeary, the visitors can cover the spread against a youthful Bears outfit in this one.

Click here for the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights