Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears
17th April 1700hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Newcastle +9 handicap
Bookmaker 888sport
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021
Newcastle have lost their way a bit in the Premiership and have fallen to third from bottom in the table.
This is no easy game for them either on the weekend as they place host to the league leaders.
Will the visiting Bristol continue their powerful march with another victory?
Table of Contents
Newcastle Falcons Preview – Can Newcastle stop the rot?
It has been four straight defeats for Newcastle in the Premiership since a win over Harlequins at the end of February.
It has been one win only for them at home this calendar year in the top flight.
They are going to have their work cut out for them there on Saturday as they host Bristol.
In the match outright for rugby betting, the win for Newcastle is at 12/5* (odds recorded 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021).
They did have a bit of cheer with a win at Ospreys in the Round of 16 in the Challenge Cup but fell in the next round to Leicester Tigers to end their European season.
So that’s five losses in their last six games in all competitions and it’s not going well.
Newcastle are the second lowest-scoring team in the Premiership this season.
Only bottom side Worcester have managed fewer.
It has been an average of 18 points scored per game by Newcastle Falcons this season in league action.
That is likely to leave them a long way short when they lose the league leaders.
To their credit, the Falcons do boast the second-best defensive record in the league.
Newcastle Falcons are on a three-match losing streak against the Bears.
The last win that they took over them was at Ashton Gate in May 2017.
As a boost, they get Toby Flood back into the line up after he missed that European game against Leicester Tigers.
That was just a mess of a game as Newcastle were reduced to 13 men in the fixture.
Flood is one of two changes that Newcastle make to their starting line up for this fixture.
Earlier this season when the two met, Newcastle did a pretty good job in stifling the Bears for long periods, but still ended up losing.
A Newcastle +10 handicap is at 10/11 odds* (odds recorded 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021)
Bristol Bears Preview – Bears to continue their imperious form?
Bristol are sailing towards the end of the regular season as they have not lost any of their last seven.
Since a draw against London Irish, they have won their last five Premiership fixtures on the spin.
There was a great victory for them in their last league fixture as they got the better of Harlequins, the top-scoring team in the division.
In the game before that, they had gotten the better of Northampton. Those are two of the other current top four sides.
So yes, of course, the Bears will be expected to make fairly light work of Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.
If they do leave Kingston Park having avoided victory, they will have set a new club record for an unbeaten streak in the competition.
It is hard to see a scenario in which they don’t win the game, to be honest.
In the handicap market for rugby betting on this Premiership fixture, a Bristol -10 is at 10/11* (odds recorded 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021).
We do think that’s pushing it a little bit.
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Bristol Bears are W5 D1 L1 on their league travels this season.
They tallied at least 24 points in four of those five away games. But what is really interesting is the margins.
Only one of Bristol’s five away league wins have been by a margin of more than 8 points.
So they have been involved in a lot of tighter games, so we think that the -10 handicap line is a bit risky. Especially with the Bears being away from home.
Bristol’s European campaign was ended in France in the Round of 16 of the Champions Cup, losing to Bordeaux-Begles.
That did give them an extra week of rest so they will be fresh and raring to go.
Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears Betting Advice
We don’t see the Bears leaving Kingston Park without a win on Saturday at all.
They won by 12 points against Newcastle earlier this season on home turf, so we don’t think a big handicap margin comes into this.
A Newcastle +9 looks the better option to roll with for a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021).
Key Facts – Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears Betting Tip
- Newcastle Falcons are on a four match losing streak in the top flight
- Newcastle Falcons last by a 12 point margin at Bristol earlier this season
- Bristol Bears are undefeated in seven games in the league
Newcastle have no momentum and results haven’t gone their way at home in the league this year.
So they are probably going to come up short because of that lack of scoring punch.
Bristol have an envious team sheet and a Bristol 1-10 winning margin option at 12/5 is of interest for rugby betting* (odds recorded 01:49 GMT on April 3rd, 2021).
The best betting odds for Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears
Newcastle Falcons to win: 11/4 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Bristol Bears to win: 2/7 at Bet365
