Bristol Bears vs Saracens
17th September 1945hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Bristol Bears to win
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 8/15 odds taken 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021
There is a cracker of a match to kick off the new season of Premiership Rugby betting on Friday night.
Saracens make their big return to the top flight after having been exiled to the second tier for last season.
Will they make an immediate impact as they head to Ashton Gate to face the Bears, who topped the regular season table in the previous campaign?
Table of Contents
Bristol Bears Preview – Can the Bears defend home territory?
Bristol Bears were looking in fantastic shape last season to make a run at their first Premiership title.
They ended the regular season on top of the table with some impressive displays.
But come the big crunch, the Bears fell at the first hurdle, losing in the Play Off semi-finals against eventual champions Harlequins.
So it’s time to reset and go again for Bristol.
They have home advantage for Friday night’s big kick off and Bristol are 8/15 odds-on to win this match* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021)
They will be looking for a big start on home turf.
Bristol Bears have lost two of their last three home matches now in the Premiership.
Those were a league defeat against Exeter during the regular season and then their play off semi-final against Quins.
But overall it was a very strong campaign on home turf for Bristol.
They just couldn’t get across the line when it mattered most.
As a positive for them, they did win their last home fixture against Saracens.
The last time that Bristol Bears played host to Saracens was in April 2019, the Bears taking a two-point margin of victory.
A Bristol Bears -4 handicap for Friday’s rugby betting is at 10/11* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021).
Each of the last five meetings between the two clubs in the league have been won by the home side on the day.
It leaves Bristol with only three wins in their last twelve (home and away) against Saracens in the top flight.
But the spin on that is that all three of those wins happened at home for Bristol.
On the two previous occasions that they have started the season with a home game at Ashton Gate, Bristol have won the match.
Bristol have won 6 of their last 8 matches against newly-promoted teams in Premiership action (D1 L1).
Saracens Preview – What can Sarries do on top flight return?
After a points deduction handed to them in the 2019/20 season, Saracens were automatically relegated in that campaign.
So they had spent the 2020/21 season in the Championship, but they regained their top-flight status at the first time of asking.
But it was a much shorter season for the last term, and at a much lower-level quality than what they are going to be back up against.
In the match outright for rugby betting, the win for Saracens is at a quote of 13/8* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021).
What will they have in their ranks?
They have managed to hold on to a lot of their star power, so have a strong squad assembled.
But will they take some time to re-acclimate to the means of Premiership rugby?
Head coach Pam Lam doesn’t think so, as he expects them to hit the ground running.
In five of the last six seasons, the newly promoted club to the top flight has won their first Premiership game.
This would be an absolutely huge statement by Sarries if they pull off the victory at Ashton Gate.
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Saracens do have an away form on the opening day of a new Premiership campaign as well.
They have won eight of their last nine opening matches that were on the road in the Premiership.
It’s a fascinating scenario to see what Saracens will bring to the table.
They could hardly have received a tougher opener against the team that finished top of the regular-season standings last term.
A Saracens +4 handicap is at a quote of evens for Rugby Betting* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021).
Bristol Bears vs Saracens Betting Advice
Bristol Bears should rightly be fired up for this one as they face a big potentially big test on home soil.
The way their season ended at home last term was a little disappointing for them.
So they will be keen to avoid a slip up on Friday night against a bit of an unknown quantity.
Backing the strength of the Bears to come through at 8/15 in the match outright is the first pick for Rugby Betting* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021).
Key Facts – Bristol Bears vs Saracens Betting Tip
- Bristol Bears have won 6 of their last 8 home matches against newly promoted teams
- Bristol Bears have won 3 of their last 12 against Saracens in the league
- Saracens were promoted back to the top flight after a season in the Championship
Until there is evidence shown by Saracens that they are ready for a competitive life back up in the top flight, the home pick makes sense.
Saracens have their star power, but a light season away from the demands of Premiership action may not be an easy thing for them to overcome on Friday.
The Bears -4 handicap is the bigger play at 10/11* (odds recorded 18:45 GMT on September 15th 2021)
The best betting odds for Bristol Bears vs Saracens
Bristol Bears to win: 8/15 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Saracens to win: 13/8 at Bet365
