Bristol vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Bears to outmuscle Tigers

All eyes will be on Ashton Gate on Sunday (15:00, TNT Sports 1) as second-placed Bristol Bears host third-placed Leicester Tigers in a showdown at the top end of the Gallagher Premiership.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Bristol vs Leicester Tigers prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in the West Country.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Bristol have selected Ellis Genge, Gabriel Oghre and George Kloska in the front row, with locks James Dun and Joe Batley in behind.

Steven Luatua, captain Fitz Harding and Viliame Mata make up the back row, with Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty starting in the half-backs.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Kalaveti Ravouvou are the centres, with winger Gabriel Ibitoye returning to a back three that includes Jack Bates and Rich Lane.

As for the visitors, Leicester go with Nicky Smith, skipper Julian Montoya and Joe Heyes in the front row, with Ollie Chessum and Cameron Henderson in the engine room.

Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell make up the back row, with Jack van Poortvliet and Handre Pollard in the half-backs.

Joseph Woodward and Solomone Kata start in the centres, with the back three made up of Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward.

Bristol vs Leicester Tigers Odds

Bristol Bears are 4/11 favourites to claim the victory on home soil, while Leicester Tigers are 9/4, or a 30.8% chance, to head back across to the East Midlands with the win.

A draw at Ashton Gate is available at 20/1, while Leicester to be leading at the half-time whistle is priced at 6/4.

Bristol -9 handicap @ 11/10

The Bears have a strong recent record in this fixture, winning all of their last three encounters with the Tigers.

Bristol romped to a 54-24 victory the last time these sides met in the Premiership in December at Welford Road.

The Tigers have managed just one win in their last six visits to Bristol, and the Bears look capable of not only winning but covering the -9 handicap on Sunday.

Gabriel Oghre anytime tryscorer @ 11/10

While Bristol have strike runners in the backline that will cause Leicester problems, hooker Gabriel Oghre looks a strong selection in the anytime tryscorer market.

This powerful Bristol pack will look to take the fight to the Leicester forwards this weekend, and the Bears have proved themselves to be strong in the set-piece.

Looking to use their rolling maul as a weapon from the lineout, Oghre should have opportunities to power over from close range on Sunday.

Oghre bagged himself a brace the last time these sides met at Welford Road and the hooker is good value to add to his try collection against the Tigers here.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.