Sale Sharks vs Bath
18th September 1700hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Sale -9 handicap
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021
Sale Sharks put together a good campaign last season to land themselves in the top four of the Premiership.
They couldn’t make it past the semi-finals in the Premiership Play-Offs, however, but that will be a similar target for them this season.
They open their new season’s challenge with a home fixture against Bath on Saturday.
Table of Contents
Sale Sharks Preview – Sale to make a positive start?
In the final game of the 2020/21 regular season of Premiership Rugby, Sale lost at Exeter.
That confirmed a third-place finish in the standings for the Sharks.
But they went back to Sandy Park for the Premiership Play Off semi-final and again were undone by the Chiefs.
Aside from that end of the season, Sale were strong last season.
They posted a W16 L6 record last season in the division and ended with the third-best defensive record.
In the match outright, Sale Sharks are strong 2/7 odds-on favourites for the win* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
Before those end of season losses to Exeter, Sale Sharks had been on an absolute tear of brilliant form.
They had strung together an eight-match Premiership winning streak before losing to Exeter.
The Sharks also carry massive home form, winning their last seven at the AJ Bell.
The last visiting team to win there was, interestingly enough, Bath in mid-February.
But Sale Sharks look the way to go for rugby betting to turn the tables on Bath.
The Sharks did get revenge later in the season at the Rec with a four-point winning margin over Bath.
They had been on a three-match losing streak against Bath prior to that in the Premiership.
Sale won their first game of the last campaign, but overall have a terrible W2 L8 record from their last ten opening matches of a new season.
Sale look the stronger of the two sides and a Sale Sharks -9 handicap is at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
Bath Preview – Can bath mount a challenge?
Bath have lost their last three opening matches of a new Premiership season. Is a fourth on the way?
Since winning at Newcastle in Round 13 last season, Bath are winless in three on the road in the top flight.
There is a positive in that they have won their last two visits to Salford to face the Sharks.
Each of the last three meetings between the two clubs have ended for a win for the away side on the day.
However, Bath are huge 11/4 underdogs for a win on Saturday evening* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
In last season’s campaign Bath had some big struggles early on. They ended up with a W10 L12 record after rallying themselves a bit.
Bath finished last season on a high note with a home win over Northampton.
That was after losing three Premiership fixtures on the spin.
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There were all sorts of defensive problems for Bath last season.
They conceded more tries in the final 20 minutes of the Premiership last season than any other team.
So that suggested a lack of depth and fitness throughout the campaign.
A Bath +9 handicap for rugby betting is at 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
The West Country outfit had won 10 of their previous 11 season openers before losing their last three.
This is the second occasion that they have opened a Premiership season at Sale.
They lost that previous one in Salford 29-20 at the start of the 2014/15 season.
Sale Sharks vs Bath Betting Advice
Sale Sharks look to be the obvious pick for this one, but there’s not much on offer in the rugby betting odds.
So the Sale Sharks -9 handicap comes into play at a quote of 10/11* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
They didn’t give up much last season, conceding fewer tries than anyone else. We see them picking off Bath.
Key Facts – Sale Sharks vs Bath Betting Tip
- Sale Sharks have lost their last two home games against Bath
- Sale Sharks are on a seven match winning streak at home in the Premiership
- Bath have lost their last three Premiership away games
The Salford club had that brilliant record of eight straight league wins last season.
They have a chance to make it eight straight wins at the AJ Bell in the competition as well.
Bath have been successful on their last two visits to Sale, but look all sorts of vulnerable for this.
They have never won three away games in a row at Sale.
Sale 11-20 winning margin at 12/5* (odds recorded 17:12 GMT on September 16th, 2021).
The best betting odds for Sale Sharks vs Bath
Sale Sharks to win: 2/7 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
Bath to win: 11/4 at Bet365
