Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons
1st January 1945hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Newcastle +7 handicap
Bookmaker betfair
Odds: Even money odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January
This looks like a really tasty fixture to come from Ashton Gate where Bristol are such a hard side to knockdown.
They have some good league momentum going as they will be looking to secure their fourth win on the spin.
Newcastle arrives defending their unbeaten season, which has been a thoroughly unexpected surprise on their return to the top flight.
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Bristol Bears Preview – Bears are gaining momentum
The Bristol Bears are now moving well having won their last three league games on the spin.
Last time out for them they bagged a somewhat comfortable 27-19 away win at Harlequins to maintain some good momentum.
A win for Bristol on the weekend comes in at a quote of 1/3 odds* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
It means that the only loss that they have suffered this season happened on the opening weekend of the new season against Wasps.
With a strong home run of form behind them, with only one league defeat at Ashton Gate since January 2020, they look a strong rugby betting option.
The last time the Bears were paired up with the Newcastle Falcons in the league was during the 2018/19 season.
The Bears won both matches that season.
With Bristol going well at the moment on the domestic front, a Bristol -7 handicap option is at 4/5* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
This is a big game for the Bears as they are facing one of the two undefeated teams left in this campaign in Newcastle.
It is worth noting that Bath have had to sit out all front row players who were in the matchday squad against Harlequins last weekend, due to protocols.
So the Bears will have a new look front-three for this one and with that in mind Peter McCabe, George Kloska and Jake Armstrong all make their league debuts.
So this is not the full-strength Bristol Bears side that is going out into action on Friday.
Newcastle Falcons Preview – Can the Falcons stay unbeaten?
The reading for Newcastle in the Premiership is four wins from four games this season on their return to the top flight.
They have completed three of their four games, with points being awarded to them for the other, which was a cancelled fixture against Leicester.
But remarkably they are chugging along well on their return and the backbone of their fortunes has been defensive work.
They haven’t given up a lot of chances at all to the opposition.
In their three completed fixtures for the season, Newcastle have only conceded 42 points which is a pretty good average.
Only London Irish and Exeter have conceded fewer points than they have done (Exeter have played four matches).
Newcastle have suffered a loss this season, going down at home against Cardiff Blues in the European Challenge Cup in early December.
In the match outright for rugby betting, Newcastle are 12/5 to get the win* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
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Newcastle Falcons are, quite remarkably, undefeated in all away games across all competitions since May 2019.
In last season’s successful promotion run in the second tier, Newcastle won every single game played on the domestic league front.
The fact that Bristol have lost their front three is interesting for this one and sends a little interest to the Newcastle +7 handicap at evens* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
With last weekend’s Premiership game cancelled, this is Newcastle’s first game since beating Castres in European action.
Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons Betting Advice
We think that Bristol can just get this done. They are not at their strongest in terms of personnel, but as a club, they are playing well.
They have been attacking from deep and really exploiting the space that has afforded them.
We would swing with the Bears as they have such a good record at Ashton Gate.
A Bears 1-10 winning margin is at 11/5* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
Key Facts – Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons Betting Tip
- Bristol Bears have won their last two games against Newcastle
- Bristol Bears are undefeated at Ashton Gate since January 2020
- Newcastle Falcons are undefeated in any away game since May 2019
Given the way that Newcastle have been performing, really digging out some dogged defensive displays has been great.
We think that they can stick close to Bristol. Therefore the Newcastle +7 handicap is really intriguing to have a play at* (odds taken 0155 GMT, Friday, 1st January).
This should be a great fixture to kick off the new year.
The best betting odds for Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons
Bristol Bears to win: 1/4 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Newcastle Falcons to win: 3/1 at Bet365
