Rugby Union
Gallagher Premiership Betting Tips & Predictions: Gloucester to upset Bath on Derby Weekend
Round 4 of the Gallagher Premiership features a mouthwatering fixture list of local rivalries with the West Country Derby on Friday night kicking off the action.
William Hill News offer predictions and best bets ahead of an action-packed weekend.
Derby weekend kicks off on Friday night with a double-header. Gloucester host Bath at Kingsholm in the first West Country Derby, while Newcastle welcome Sale to Kingston Park. Saturday brings the East Midlands Derby, with Leicester facing Northampton at Welford Road, before Bristol host Exeter at Ashton Gate in the second West Country Derby. Finally, Harlequins and Saracens wrap up the weekend on Sunday afternoon in what is sure to be a fierce London Derby.
Gloucester vs Bath – Friday, 7:45pm
Kingsholm hosts the pick of the Friday games. Gloucester have scored 124 points in their first three, including the 48-0 win over Harlequins, but suffered a 38-31 defeat at Leicester last time out.
Bath have won four of the last five meetings, but their defence is a worry. They’ve conceded 34 to Exeter and 71 at Northampton, hardly the form of champions. We’re expecting a shootout, and home advantage could tip it.
Our prediction: Gloucester To Win – 11/8
Newcastle Red Bulls vs Sale Sharks – Friday, 7:45pm
Newcastle are still searching for a first win. They’ve taken heart from narrow losses to Leicester (24-19) and Exeter (34-28), and Christian Wade’s hat-trick last time out took him to 100 Premiership tries. Their defence is the problem, having shipped 113 points in three games.
Sale have won back-to-back games since losing to Bristol, beating Saracens 21-17 and edging Harlequins 28-24. They aren’t free-scoring, but they’re streetwise.
Our prediction: Sale Sharks -7 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints – Saturday, 3:05pm
There isn’t much separating the two giants in the market. Leicester have won back-to-back games, while Northampton arrive on the back of a 71-48 win over Bath, their biggest score of the season so far. The Saints have conceded 26, 41 and 48 in their last three, though, and Welford Road is a tough place to fix that.
Our prediction: Leicester Tigers To Win – 17/20
Bristol Bears vs Exeter Chiefs – Saturday, 5:30pm
Bristol’s first defeat came at Saracens (30-7), and they’ve beaten both Sale and Northampton on their travels. Exeter got off the mark against Newcastle, but we think Ashton Gate will be a step too far.
Our prediction: Bristol Bears -7 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Harlequins vs Saracens – Sunday, 3:00pm
Harlequins are still searching for a first win after losses to Bath, Gloucester and Sale. They have shown some fight in defeat, but their defence has leaked 99 points across three games. Saracens bounced back with that win over Bristol, and Maro Itoje’s return to the pack was a big boost.
Our prediction: Saracens -7 Handicap Betting – EVS
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – odds subject to change*
