Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
9th April 2022 – Kick Off 1400hrs
Rugby – England – European Champions Cup
Pick Sale -6 handicap
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: Even Money odds taken 03:00 GMT on April 8th, 2022
There’s big action coming up on Saturday at the AJ Bell in European Champions Cup rugby.
Sale Sharks will be hoping to pull off a repeat of their 2002 triumph against the Bristol Bears in the competition.
This is the first leg of the Round of 16 tie in the tournament. The home side goes into the match as heavy favourites.
Table of Contents
Sale Sharks Preview – Sharks to prevail?
There has been a good season at the AJ Bell by the Sale Sharks across all competitions.
That was until recently, as they have dropped their last two there.
The first of those was in the Premiership Rugby Cup and then back in the Premiership when Saracens visited last weekend.
In the match outright for rugby betting on Saturday, Sale Sharks are 4/9 odds-on favourites* (odds recorded 03:00 GMT on April 8th, 2022 at Betfair).
Before that recent little slump, Sale had put together a run of W8 D1 at home in all tournaments.
They played one home match in the first round, a 49-10 success over Ospreys.
Earlier this season Sale Sharks lost away at Bristol in league action.
That snapped a three-match winning streak that they had been on against the Bears.
Sale Sharks have won their last three on the trot at home against Bristol Bears and four of the last five.
In the four wins in that sequence, Sale kept Bristol to 13 points or fewer.
The Sharks have won almost half of their home matches in the Heineken Cup (W15 L17).
Sale have faced Bristol before in the Heineken Cup.
That was in the 2001/02 season when the Sharks claimed a 25-20 success.
Bristol Bears Preview – Bears struggling for form
The Bristol Bears have had a tough season and there hasn’t been much to cheer about for them recently.
The Bears go into this European challenge on Saturday on a three-match losing streak in all tournaments.
In their last ten first-team matches, Bristol are W3 L7.
In the match outright for rugby betting on Saturday, the Bears are 15/8 for the win* (odds recorded 03:00 GMT on April 8th, 2022 at Betfair).
Bristol Bears have been on the road once this season in Europe.
That was a trip to face Scarlets in the first round.
The Bears delivered a convincing 52-12 win in Wales, but this is a much tougher proposition.
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Bristol Bears just do not have the away form behind them to warrant a tremendous amount of support in rugby betting.
They have lost seven of their last eight on the road in all competitions.
The one exception in that run was that aforementioned victory at Scarlets.
Bristol Bears have made it past the pool stage of the competition for just the second time.
Their one previous away match in the knockout stage ended in a loss against Bordeaux-Belgas last season.
Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears Betting Advice
It is hard to see what the Bears can do on Saturday to avoid defeat in this tough match at the AJ Bell.
They have been a poor side on the road this season and this may be beyond them, even though they have won 44% of their away games in the Heineken Cup (W4 L5).
While they did win their league home match against Sale earlier this season, the Sale -6 handicap at Evens is the first tip* (odds recorded 03:00 GMT on April 8th, 2022 at Betfair).
Key Facts – Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears Betting Tip
- Sale Sharks have won 7 of their last 10 home matches in all competitions
- Sale Sharks have won 47% of previous Heineken Cup home fixtures
- Bristol Bears are W1 L4 in their last five visits to the AJ Bell
Sale Sharks have had a good campaign on home turf this season, aside from the odd blip.
The home side are capable of running up a big score to make life easier for themselves in the second leg.
A Sale 8-14 winning margin is in range at a quote of 3/1 in rugby betting* (odds recorded 03:00 GMT on April 8th, 2022 at Betfair).
The best betting odds for Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears
Sale Sharks to win: 4/9 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Bristol Bears to win: 15/8 at Bet365
