Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: McKellar’s men to roar at Kingsholm

Gloucester's fine start has been squandered in recent weeks and they could find themselves in further trouble when they host Leicester on Saturday.

The Cherry and Whites produced an improved performance last time out at Exeter but still lost 25-24 and are on a run of four straight defeats.

Visitors Leicester were too good for Northampton, winning their 'Derby Weekend' clash 26-17, and have triumphed on their last three trips to Kingsholm.

Gloucester currently sit a point and a place above their visitors but the pair could swap league positions come full-time on Saturday.

Team News

Gloucester make one change to their forwards, with Freddie Thomas replacing the injured Albert Tuisue at blindside flanker. There is also a single alteration among the backs, with Stephen Varney replacing Micky Young at scrum-half.

Leicester have made two changes to their XV with hooker Julian Montoya returning for his first appearance of the season to captain the side, having fulfilled the same role for Argentina at the World Cup, while centre and former Gloucester player Matt Scott also comes in to partner Dan Kelly in the midfield.

Number eight Jasper Wiese makes his 50th Premiership appearance, while full-back Freddie Steward makes his 50th league start for the Tigers.

Leicester -5.5 @ 11/10

Leicester put their error-strewn showing against Harlequins behind them to produce a more polished performance against Northampton last time out and new boss Dan McKellar is seemingly getting his point across.

McKellar favours a more open gameplan to his predecessor Steve Borthwick and that could actually work for Gloucester who, for their faults, have tallied 51 points in their last two games.

The Tigers won last season's trip to Kingsholm 26-5 but the Cherry and Whites have pushed them harder on previous occasions, losing by seven or fewer points in the pair's two meetings in Gloucestershire prior to that.

It promises to be an entertaining game at 'Castle Grim' but the home team's lack of momentum is alarming and they are worth siding against.

Leicester Over 24.5 Points @ 5/6

McKellar's desire to see his players move the ball has helped them put points on the board and they have scored 25 or more in three of their last four matches.

The Tigers have recorded tallies of 26, 33 and 30 in three of their last four trips down to Kingsholm.

They also managed 25 points on their last trip to the south west when they beat Bath 25-24 in October and their attack could thrive again against the league's second-worst defence.

Match Odds

Gloucester are 6/4 to claim a third win of the season, with Leicester 8/13 to achieve the same feat. A first tie since April 2011 is 22/1.

The 3-Way Handicap is -3 in Leicester's favour. They are EVS in the market, with Gloucester 10/11 at +3 and a rare tie handed a +3 at 28/1.

Rugby Union betting tips - from Betfred Insights