Pretoria Bulls vs Bristol Prediction: Hosts to turn up the heat on Bears

This weekend brings with it round three of the Investec Champions Cup as the pools begin to take shape. On Saturday afternoon (13:00 GMT, Premier Sports 1), Pretoria Bulls take on Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

Below are my Pretoria Bulls vs Bristol predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

The Bristol Bears have made a decent start in Pool 4, taking wins over Scarlets and Section Paloise before Christmas, but they've got a daunting trip to Pretoria to contend with on Saturday against the Bulls.

Facing a game at altitude amid high temperatures in South Africa, Pat Lam and his Bears side will do well to extend their six-game winning streak.

The Bulls, in stark contrast, have lost six games on the trot in the Champions Cup and the URC and will see this as a chance to get their campaign on an upward trajectory.

Pretoria Bulls vs Bristol Odds

The Bulls are heavy favourites at 1/9 to make their home advantage count and get their first win of the competition on the board. Bristol are priced at 11/2 to continue their winning streak in this southern hemisphere trip, while a draw can be backed at 25/1.

The three-way handicap gives the Bulls a 14-point start at 10/11, while the Bears are 10/11, and the handicap tie is 20/1.

Team News

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has named 10 Springboks in his starting line-up. The solid midfield duo of Harold Vorster and David Kriel are joined by Handre Pollard at out-half and Embrose Papier in the No. 9 shirt.

Second row Ruan Nortje captains a strong home XV, with the absent Canan Moodie (concussion protocols) the only missing link as the South African franchise go strong.

Bears prop Lovejoy Chawatama misses the clash at Loftus Versfeld after suffering a calf injury in his team's 19-17 win over Sale in the Gallagher Prem last weekend. The 33-year-old Zimbabwean had been ever-present this season.

The good news for Bristol is that versatile prop Max Lahiff is fit, while lock Joe Batley is also available after a one-game suspension, and Louis Rees-Zammit has travelled despite a head knock last weekend.

Handicap -11 - Pretoria Bulls -11 @ 8/13

The Bulls are in must-win territory after losing their opening Pool 4 games against Bordeaux Begles and Northampton Saints.

They took a whopping 50-5 loss at Franklin's Gardens last month, and Ackermann suggested in the run-up to this game that he would be leading out with a strong starting side.

True to his word, there are 10 Springboks in the side and, with anything less than a win likely condemning the Bulls to an early exit, they will mean business.

Bristol were 19-17 winners against Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Prem at Ashton Gate last week in temperatures scarcely north of freezing. Now they face 28°C heat at altitude in Pretoria against a home side baying for victory. The hosts should win with something to spare.

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