Bath vs Gloucester Predictions: More Bath woe for Cherry and Whites

Bath have won their last six meetings with local rivals Gloucester and are backed to make it a super seven when the pair meet on Saturday evening. The champions have made a perfect start to the season by recording bonus point victories over Harlequins (47-31) and Sale (28-16) and are set to get even stronger with Will Stuart and Finn Russell returning to the side this weekend.

Gloucester have also taken a couple of bonus points from their first two games, but both came when coming from behind to narrowly lose 37-35 to Northampton, having opened their campaign with a 27-10 defeat at Sale. The Cherry and Whites saw significant incomings and outgoings in the summer and are again expected to be vulnerable at the Rec.

Team news

Bath's British & Irish Lions duo Stuart and Russell feature for the first time this season, with both coming straight into the run-on side, the latter as captain, with scrum-half Ben Spencer absent.

Russell's return means Max Ojomoh returns to his more familiar inside centre role, while Argentina international Santi Carreras, signed from Gloucester, is primed for his debut off the bench.

New Zealand prop Nepo Laulala is set for his Gloucester debut at tighthead and Argentina’s Matias Alemanno also comes in at lock. 

There is also a positional switch, with Freddie Thomas swapping the second row for blindside flanker.

Bath vs Gloucester Odds

Bath are just 1/25 to win on Saturday evening, with the draw 28/1 and Gloucester 9/1.

The handicap 3-way mark is 20 points, with the home side -20 priced at 20/21.

Bath -24 @ 7/5

The form and the feel around these sides suggest there is little value in backing anything other than a decent Bath win.

The two teams met three times last season, with Bath winning them all at an aggregate score of 158-83.

Johann van Graan's side’s scoring power has been evident again in their wins over Quins and Sale.

Gloucester have looked so unbalanced in their games, especially in the first half, and Bath -10.5 at 21/20 on the half-time handicap is worth exploiting.

The handicap markets might be the answer, and the home outfit's expected superiority suggests it is worth considering going beyond evens, with the 7/5 on Bath -24 a worthwhile selection.

Henry Arundell and Tom De Glanville to score tries @ 7/2

Henry Arundell has scored three tries already since returning to the Premiership, joining Bath after two seasons in France at Racing 92.

The 22-year-old remains prone to defensive lapses but his speed and footwork mean he can be irresistible in attack.

Similar can be said for full-back Tom de Glanville, who scored a combined three tries during last season's meetings and has extra motivation to perform.

De Glanville's performances mean he is moving out of his famous father, Phil's, shadow but he is under pressure for his place from new signing Carreras, who could make his debut off the bench.

A beautifully balanced runner, de Glanville can help his hopes of continuing in the 15 shirt with a try-scoring performance and contribute to a decent double.

Click here for the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights