Gloucester vs Bath Prediction: Bath too hot for rivals

This weekend offers up some cracking grudge matches in the Premiership and Saturday’s West Country showdown between Gloucester and Bath is not one to miss at Kingsholm (15:05 kick-off).

Read on for my Gloucester vs Bath prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

After just missing out on the title in the Grand Final last season, Bath have made a positive start to the new season, winning their opening two games against Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers before a defeat to Bristol Bears.

Gloucester have shown signs of progress in the fledgling stages of this new Premiership campaign, with a win at Bristol sandwiched between defeats to Saracens and Sale Sharks.

Another fiery contest looks to be on the cards at Kingsholm on Saturday and it might well be Bath fans who are the ones smiling come the final whistle.

Team News

Bath have replaced Niall Annett for Tim Dunn at hooker, while Ted Hill moves from blindside flanker to the second-row where he will be partnered by Ross Molony.

Josh Bayliss is back at blindside, Miles Reid moves to openside, with Alfie Barbeary completing the back-row.

Cameron Redpath gets a start after returning from injury to feature off the bench last time out and the Scotland international is joined by England star Ollie Lawrence in the centres.

Winger Austin Emens will make his Bath debut, in a back-three that includes Will Butt on the other flank and Tom de Glanville at full-back.

As for Gloucester, Ciaran Knight and Jack Singleton come into the front-row, while skipper Lewis Ludlow returns to the back-row.

Max Llewellyn moves from the wing to centre, making way for Ollie Thorley to join a back-three that includes Josh Hathaway and the returning Argentina international Santi Carreras.

Gloucester vs Bath Odds

Gloucester are 15/8 to win, while Bath are the 4/9 favourites to claim the victory on Saturday.

A draw at Kingholm is currently available at 20/1.

Bath -8 handicap @ 6/5

Winning all of their last three meetings with Gloucester, Bath have been the dominant force in this rivalry of late.

In Bath’s last two visits to Kingsholm, the Blue, Black and Whites have won 33-24 and 45-27.

Looking to respond to their defeat to fellow rivals Bristol last time out, Bath look capable of continuing the trend at Kingholm and falling on the right side of a -8 handicap at Gloucester once again.

Double Result - Gloucester - Bath @ 6/1

While Bath have won all of their last three games against Gloucester, the Blue, Black and Whites were down at half-time in all three of those matches.

The Cherry and Whites have shown signs of progress this season and could make a positive start once again on Saturday to hold a lead at the break.

However, Bath’s quality should come through in the second half and the visitors to be down at half-time but win the game for a fourth consecutive match against Gloucester looks attractive at 6/1.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.