Rugby Union
Gallagher Premiership Predictions: Gloucester Backed to Deliver Another Shock
William Hill News are back with tips and predictions for round three of the 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership season.
Gloucester, Bristol, and Bath are all two from two heading into the weekend and with some mouth-watering fixtures coming up, lets dive into this week’s predictions.
Leicester Tigers vs Gloucester – Friday 9th October, 19:45
- Leicester Tigers – 2/5
- Gloucester – 2/1
Friday night at Welford Road pits a Leicester side still searching for their first home win this season against the early league leaders. The Tigers lost a thriller 38-40 to Saracens on the opening weekend before edging past Newcastle 24-19 last time out, hardly the statement they wanted.
Gloucester, meanwhile, have scored 93 points across their first two games and conceded just 24, with the 48-0 hammering of Harlequins the highlight. Leicester are favourites at 2/5, but the visitors arrive with far more momentum, and this looks a closer contest than the match odds suggest.
Our prediction: Gloucester To Win by 1-7 Points – 4/1
Northampton Saints v Bath – Saturday 10th October, 15:05
- Northampton Saints – 2/5
- Bath – 21/10
The standout fixture of the round sees defending champions Northampton welcome Bath to Franklin’s Gardens. The Saints followed a 59-26 win over Newcastle with a 41-26 defeat at Bristol, while Bath have won both of their games, seeing off Harlequins 33-17 and Exeter 40-34.
That Exeter game is the concern for Bath, though. Conceding 34 points to a side that hadn’t won a game is not the form of title contenders, and Northampton have the firepower to expose it. We’re expecting the Saints to bounce back at home.
Our prediction: Bath +5 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Saracens v Bristol Bears – Saturday 10th October, 17:30
- Saracens – 2/7
- Bristol Bears – 13/5
Saracens took the spoils in that opening-weekend classic at Welford Road but were beaten 21-17 at home by Sale last time out, a result that raised a few eyebrows around StoneX Stadium.
Bristol have been the PREM’s most impressive side so far, winning at Sale on the opening weekend before putting 41 points on Northampton at Ashton Gate. Saracens are 2/7 favourites, but Bristol’s attack is in fine form and we think they can keep this within a converted try or two.
Our prediction: Bristol Bears +7 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Red Bulls – Sunday 11th October, 15:00
- Exeter Chiefs – 1/16
- Newcastle Red Bulls – 7/1
Sunday’s early kick-off at Sandy Park sees two winless sides meet. Exeter have lost both games, but they’ve scored plenty in defeat, putting 34 points on Bath last week. Newcastle sit bottom after a 59-26 defeat at Northampton and a narrow 24-19 loss to Leicester, a performance that at least showed some fight.
Exeter are 1/16 favourites at home, and while their defence has shipped 79 points in two games, Newcastle simply don’t have the weapons to take advantage consistently. A first win of the season looks on the cards.
Our prediction: Exeter Chiefs -16 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Sale Sharks v Harlequins – Sunday 11th October, 15:00
- Sale Sharks – 1/16
- Harlequins – 7/1
Sunday’s second game sees Sale host a Harlequins side who are still searching for their first points of the campaign. Quins have been beaten 33-17 by Bath and 48-0 by Gloucester, and the Sharks are 1/8 to make it three defeats in a row for the visitors.
Sale did get off the mark with that win at Saracens, but they’ve scored just 24 and 21 points in their two games. With the handicap set so high, we think Harlequins can stay within the line, particularly if they get some of their big names back.
Our prediction: Sale Sharks -16 Handicap Betting – 10/11
*Prices accurate at the times of writing – odds subject to change*
