Bristol vs Bordeaux Begles Prediction: Reigning champions to flex their muscles on the road

There's a top-of-the-table clash to look forward to in Pool 4 of the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday as Bristol Bears play host to Bordeaux Begles (13:00, Premier Sports 1).

Tom Hill provides his best bets in his Bristol vs Bordeaux Begles prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Bristol.

Team News

The Bears welcome back three internationals for this clash as British & Irish Lion Ellis Genge comes in at loosehead prop, Harry Randall starts at scrum-half and Louis Rees-Zammit returns at full-back.

Bristol's director of rugby, Pat Lam, has made the changes after the 61-49 victory over the Bulls last weekend - their eighth win in a row across all competitions.

Noah Heward, who scored a hat-trick last week, continues on the wing alongside Kalaveti Ravouvou, while Viliame Mata starts at number eight.

Fitz Harding captains the side from openside flanker, while Santiago Grondona completes the back row.

The visitors have made two changes to their team, with Salesi Rayasi on the bench despite scoring a hat-trick last week during the 50-28 demolition of Northampton Saints. He is replaced by Romain Buros at full-back, while Boris Palu comes into the second row.

Bordeaux have named Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud as their starting wingers and they are perhaps the best combination in world rugby right now.

Matthieu Jalibert starts at fly-half, partnering scrum-half Martin Page-Relo, while Maxime Lamothe continues to captain the side.

Bristol vs Bordeaux Begels Odds

Even though they are away from home, defending champions Bordeaux are 1/3 to pick up the victory on Sunday, with the draw 22/1, while Bristol are priced at 23/10.

The French outfit are 5/6 to cover the handicap, set at -9. Those who fancy the visitors to make a bright start can back them to win the first half at 1/2, while both Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey are 1/2 to score anytime.

Wales star Rees-Zammit is 1/1 to score a try of his own inside 80 minutes.

Bordeaux Begles -9 @ 5/6

A top-seeded spot is up for grabs at Ashton Gate this weekend, with the defending champions currently one point better off than their hosts.

Bordeaux have obtained three bonus points to move onto 15 points, but Lam will be hoping his team can win their fourth match in a row in the competition. This is the toughest challenge they can face, but the prize is massive for the winner.

Both teams have already secured their spots in the last 16, but the winner will secure home advantage in the knockout stages until at least the quarter-final stage.

Bordeaux were beaten towards the end of December by Clermont, as they went down 34-19. However, they have won five of their last six and will expect to be too strong for Bristol.

The defending champions put 50 past Northampton last week, while they beat Racing 92 62-20 the week before.

Having watched the Bulls put 49 past Bristol last time out, the French club will expect to cover the spread in what should be an enthralling battle on Sunday.

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