Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
29th August 1500hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Bristol +7 Handicap
Bookmaker 888sport
Odds: 3/1 odds taken 22:45 GMT, Friday 29th August
What a game we have to kick off the weekend of Premiership Rugby. This is second versus third with the Bristol Bears holding a three-point advantage over the Sharks.
So with them both battling along for a top-four finish this is a game of massive importance.
Will the home advantage be enough to see Sale take the win, or will the highly impressive Bears march over them?
Table of Contents
Sale Sharks Preview – Sale get their winning touch back
After having lost their last two matches since the season was rebooted, Sale saw their top-four hopes start to slide.
But they stopped the rot last time out when they collected a midweek win away at Wasps.
That was an excellent 20-11 victory that they took on the road, snapping back from defeats against Harlequins and Exeter.
A straight four-point win will see them leapfrog the Bears back into second place in the Premiership.
Sale are the third-highest scorers in the division this season, so they do have that going for them.
The Sharks are averaging 24 points per game this season. But they have backed that up with a solid defence as well.
Sale are boasting the best defensive record in the division and they are going to need to be strong on Saturday against the impressive Bears.
When the two met earlier this season it was a narrow loss that Sale suffered.
They went down 16-10 in that away fixture and it has been a W1 D1 L2 record that they have taken against the Bears in their last four meetings.
Despite that, Sale are the 1/10 odds-on favourites to win this fixture* (odds taken 22:45 GMT, Friday 29th August).
Sale have lost their last two games now at the AJ Bell Stadium and will be under pressure in this one.
Bristol Bears Preview – Bears should threaten at Sale
The Bears have been strengthened and they look to have one of the most well-rounded squads in the Premiership now.
After scoring back to back wins over Saracens and Gloucester on their return to action, in midweek they faced Exeter in a big clash.
The Bears had the league leaders rattled in that contest as well, just missing out in a 22-25 defeat.
So while their seven-match winning streak in the Premiership came to an end, it did not exactly end in disgrace against the Chiefs.
Bristol do have some very good away from under their belt. They are unbeaten in their last four road games across all competitions.
The last time that they completed a season-double oven Sale was back in the 2006/07 season.
But they have to be in with a pretty decent shot at this one and they do have some appeal as 13/2 underdogs* (odds taken 22:45 GMT, Friday 29th August).
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Bristol Bears surely have enough about them at the moment to at least keep in touch with the hosts.
We can’t ignore a positive handicap for the visitors in this fixture and a Bears +12 is a super generous 8/5 quote for the match* (odds taken 22:45 GMT, Friday 29th August).
This will only be their third visit to the AJ Bell Stadium actually and they have taken a W1 L1 record from those previous visits.
The threat of the Bears looks very real in this contest.
Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears Betting Advice
We are going to side with the away win in this one. The Bears collected a good win at Gloucester in their one road game since stepping back into action.
Considering that the Sharks have crashed to back to back home losses, we just cannot avoid the value on Bristol for this fixture.
Key Facts – Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears Betting Tip
- Sale Sharks have won 1 of their last four against the Bears
- Sale Sharks have dropped their last two home fixtures
- Bristol Bears are unbeaten in four away games in all competitions
There is enough to back Bristol in the match outright, but being able to cover an in-form team heavily in the handicap should be the way to go.
Even a +7 for the visitors doesn’t seem beyond the realms of probability in this one and that rolls in as a 3/1 option* (odds taken 22:45 GMT, Friday 29th August).
The best betting odds for Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
Sale Sharks to win: 1/10 at Bet365
Draw: 40/1 at Bet365
Bristol Bears to win: 6/1 at Bet365
