Gloucester vs Bristol Predictions: Bears to bag another derby win

South-West rivals Gloucester and Bristol clash on Saturday, with the winner claiming the Rifles Cup. The Cherry and Whites head into the game on the back of wins in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Slater Cup, beating Leicester on both occasions.

Bristol will be equally confident after beating leaders Northampton in a high-scoring contest at Ashton Gate and their pace behind the scrum could play a part at Kingsholm. They beat Saints 52-21, showing they had not lost momentum after heading into the Six Nations break on the back of defeating Bath 57-44.  Gloucester have won their last six matches, but the Bears have won the last two meetings and, with them shining in attack, it could be a familiar tale for the hosts.

Team news

Gloucester have made four changes. Prop Jamal Ford-Robinson is set for his 99^th appearance and packs down alongside on-loan hooker Adam Burney following a minor training injury for Seb Blake.

Ollie Thorley replaces Jonny May, while Josh Hathaway starts on the other wing for the first time at home in a Premiership.

Ellis Genge and Max Malins have been rewarded for their impacts off the bench against Northampton with starts for the Bears.

They have replaced Yann Thomas and Siva Naulago as loosehead props and full-backs, with Noah Heward moving to the wing to accommodate Malins.

Match odds

Gloucester are the 4/5 favourites, with Bristol close behind at 11/10 and the draw available at 20/1.

The Cherry and Whites are given -2 on the handicap, available at 10/11.

Bristol to win @ 11/10

Bristol has struggled almost ever since famously squandering a 28-0 lead against Harlequins in the pair's semi-final in 2021.

However, their wins over Bath and Northampton hint that they have finally started to find a similar attacking vein to that campaign, when they topped the regular season standings.

Their dynamic forwards have found a way to build momentum and provide enough ball to pour through opposition defences, with scrum-half Harry Randall in especially spectacular form.

A place in England's squad for this summer's games against Japan and New Zealand seems inevitable, as his pace from the base makes him the ideal impact substitute after Alex Mitchell has set the game up.

Opposite number Stephen Varney also grabbed a try against Leicester and will be confident after excelling for Italy during the Six Nations.

His eight-nine-10 combination with Zach Mercer and Santiago Carreras is improving, but Bristol number eight Magnus Bradbury has found some extra grunt to get his side on the front foot, while number ten AJ McGinty can be magic on his day.

After a miserable second half of 2023, Gloucester are clearly starting to find their step, with European Challenge Cup glory still a possibility ahead of Castres' visit to Kingsholm next weekend.

However, the victories over Bath and Northampton demonstrated Bristol's scoring power. They will take some beating and punters may even stretch to 5/2 for an away win by 1-12 points inclusive.

Rugby Union betting tips from Betfred Insights.