Harlequins vs Bristol Bears
8th October 1945hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Quins -5 handicap
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 62/25 odds taken 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021.
This is a heavyweight clash for Premiership rugby betting on Friday night as reigning champions Harlequins host Bristol Bears.
Quins have positively started their title defence as well, winning both matches played so far.
Bristol meanwhile find themselves sitting second from bottom in the Premiership after losing two of their three fixtures.
Table of Contents
Harlequins Preview – Can Quins tame the Bears?
It has been two victories from two matches for Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby title defence.
After coming up big last season with a surprise win over Exeter Chiefs to land the crown, they have settled down immediately in this campaign.
They opened their campaign with a 26-20 victory in a tricky away match at Newcastle.
Then Quins posted a 35-29 win over Worcester in their first home game of the season.
Including some results from the end of last season, Harlequins are on a five-match winning streak in the Premiership.
They have some fantastic home form behind them as well.
Harlequins are undefeated in their last ten matches at the Stoop and they have won their last nine on the spin there.
Harlequins are 2/5 in rugby betting for the win* (odds recorded 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021).
In last season’s Premiership Rugby, Harlequins lost both matches during the regular season against Bristol.
But then in the Play-Off Semi-Finals, Quins stunned the Bears with a 43-36 victory after extra time at Ashton Gate.
There is some good head to head form from Harlequins against Bristol Bears at the Stoop to look at as well.
Quins have won seven of their last eight on home turf against Bristol in the Premiership.
As mentioned above, they lost last season’s corresponding fixture, which was by a 19-27 scoreline.
Harlequins have never before lost consecutive home matches to Bristol in Premiership Rugby.
During the 2021 calendar year, Harlequins are undefeated at the Stoop.
They’ve racked up at least five tries in each of their last six league home games.
A Harlequins -5 handicap at 10/11 is a rugby betting option* (odds recorded 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021).
Bristol Bears Preview – Can Bears build momentum?
Bristol Bears went into last weekend’s round of Premiership action on a three-match losing streak in the top flight.
That included their loss against Quins in last season’s Play-Off Semi-Finals.
Things had gotten off to an unexpectedly slow start for Bristol this season as they struggled to put points on the board.
In their season opener, the Bears lost 9-26 at home against the newly promoted Saracens.
Then it got worse with an 8-44 loss at Wasps.
But Bristol Bears restored a bit of a balance as they produced a 25-20 home win over rivals Bath last weekend.
That gets them off the mark.
But Bristol are the 21/10 underdogs in Premiership rugby betting for Friday night* (odds recorded 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021).
It’s not exactly been the most convincing of starts that they have made.
There is some slightly dodgy away form there as well. Bristol have won only one away fixture since early May in the Premiership.
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Bristol Bears haven’t actually lost back to back away games in the Premiership since 2020 last year.
But it’s worth reminding that they were hammered heavily at Wasps recently.
There has only been one previous Friday night match between these two teams in the league.
That was in 2017 when Quins posted a massive 42-8 victory at Ashton Gate.
Bristol Bears have an average gain of 480 metres per fixture this season carrying the ball. That’s a league-leading stat.
But Frieda’s opponents Harlequins are second in that stat, making this an extremely tough road game for the Bears.
Harlequins vs Bristol Bears Betting Advice
So we have a few things in play for rugby betting in this one. For starters, Harlequins have won 6 of their last 7 matches played on a Friday night.
Then there is their big home form, winning nine in a row at the Stoop, going undefeated in 10.
Quins are heavy favourites here and the Harlequins -5 handicap at 10/11 is the first rugby betting pick* (odds recorded 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021).
Key Facts – Harlequins vs Bristol Bears Betting Tip
- Harlequins have scored 4+ tries in 8 of their last 9 Premiership fixtures
- Harlequins are on a 9 match winning streak at home
- Bristol Bears have lost 7 of their last 8 matches against Quins at the Stoop
Harlequins are already averaging 4.5 tries per match this season. They’ve tallied at least four in all but one of their last nine Premiership fixtures.
They have conceded fewer penalties than any other team. We also have to consider Bristol’s heavy loss at Wasps already this season.
All the stats at least point to a comfortable win for Harlequins. A Harlequins 1-12 winning margin option is at 11/4* (odds recorded 19:49 GMT on October 6th, 2021).
The best betting odds for Harlequins vs Bristol Bears
Harlequins to win: 2/5 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Bristol Bears to win: 21/10 at Bet365
