Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks
5th February 1945hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Bristol -7 handicap
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 9/10 odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February
Bristol are still going strong for the season and they crushed their West Country rivals Bath last weekend.
It’s been powerful stuff from the Bears who are holding on to top spot in the Premiership at the moment.
Will the visiting Sale, who are also carrying a little bit of form themselves, come with a way to stop the Bears at Ashton Gate?
Table of Contents
Bristol Bears Preview – Can the Bears keep their winning streak going?
It has been an impressive run of form from the Bristol Bears in the Premiership.
After opening with a defeat against Wasps on the opening weekend of the new campaign, the Bears haven’t looked back since.
It has been a six match winning streak in the league from them.
In the match outright betting Bristol are 4/11 odds-on* (odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
They have such good home record in the Premiership as they have lost once only on home turf in Premiership Rugby since December 2019.
At Ashton Gate specifically, Bristol Bears have won three of their four previous meetings against Sale.
In last weekend’s round of action, Bristol were up against their rivals Bath at Ashton Gate.
The Bears went out and produced a record-breaking display in the derby, posting a 48-3 victory.
That was enough to keep them top of the Premiership table and they are the top-scorers in the division as well.
As it stands they are one of two sides only in the Premiership this season not to have conceded triple-figure points.
For some Friday night rugby betting, we want to look at margins as that is where some extended value will be.
Five of the six league wins that Bristol have earned this season have been by at least 7 points.
A Bristol -9 handicap, therefore, may offer a way into Premiership rugby betting in this fixture at 9/10* (odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
That is taking into consideration that they have already scored a 17-point margin of victory over reigning champions Exeter recently.
The Bears are now setting the standard in this season’s top flight.
Sale Sharks Preview – Can Sale defy underdog odds?
This is a tough fixture then for the Sale Sharks, but they have won their last three premiership games.
But the size of the task ahead of them can be clearly seen in the match outright odds.
Sale are the 11/5 underdogs for the game* (odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
They do actually have a pretty good away record in the league.
Only once have the Sharks lost on the road in the top flight since mid-August last year.
That lone defeat was at Newcastle earlier this season.
They have beaten London Irish, Gloucester and Leicester Tigers in their three other away fixtures this season.
This is a much more difficult task than any of those.
So what can the Sharks come up with on Friday night at Ashton Gate?
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To their credit, the Sharks have taken their chances on the road this season for the large part.
In all three of their road victories the Sharks did put at least 21 points on the board.
Victory would keep them in touch with the Bears as the Sharks start six points back of their opponents in third place.
It has been a strong W5 L2 record from Sale this season.
If they were to grind out a victory then we would only have to assume that it will be by a small margin.
Given that they are underdogs in the match outright, it’s not really worth playing with margins on them.
But there is a quote of 10/11 on a Sharks +8 handicap for any punter dancing that the visitors will at least make a decent fist of this.
Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks Betting Advice
Bristol are just flying at the moment and so the home win has to be supported.
Their manner of victory in their last two games has been so impressive, thumping both Exeter and Bath.
It’s been just ten points conceded in total by them in their last two games.
A Bath -7 handicap looks about right at 9/10* (odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
Key Facts – Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks Betting Tip
- Bristol Bears are W6 L1 in their league campaign this season
- Bristol Bears hammered Bath 48-3 last weekend
- Sale Sharks have won their last three league fixtures
Sales do turn up in a nice bit of form, but probably not enough to topple Bristol.
The away wins for Sale this season have been against teams who are struggling for form only.
Bristol are not in that category. Bristol 1-10 winning margin at 9/4* (odds taken 13:13GMT, Thursday, 4th February).
The best betting odds for Bristol Bears vs Sale Sharks
Bristol Bears to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Sale Sharks to win: 11/5 at Bet365
