Saturday's Gallagher Premiership predictions & rugby betting tips: Bath ready to edge West Country rivals

Where to watch

Bath v Bristol
TNT Sports 1, 3.05pm Saturday

Newcastle v Leicester
TNT Sports 1, 5.30pm Saturday

Match prediction & best bets

Bath to win by one to 12 points
1pt 8-5 bet365

Saturday's Premiership rugby predictions

Bath have two wins from two in the Premiership and will be happy to be heading home to the Rec to take on rivals Bristol.

The visitors might well be reeling from last week's remarkable 44-41 home defeat to Gloucester – the Bears trailed 28-10 with half an hour remaining as Gloucester had already racked up a try bonus point, then fought back to 41-41 before being rocked by a late penalty.

That performance carried on Bristol's form from last season, when they scored and shipped freely, but to concede five tries to Gloucester, who had the second-lowest total last season behind bottom side Newcastle, has to be a concern as they prepare to face Bath's formidable attack.

Bath won this match by a single point last season and were then beaten away from home in a game that produced more than 100 points, and we may see both elements in thid fixture.

Expect a high-scoring contest between two teams who like to play on the front foot, but Bath look in better shape and can edge it.

Newcastle are still searching for a first Premiership victory since March 2023 but there were encouraging signs in their 28-14 defeat at Harlequins, where they had been 24-point underdogs.

They get a 12-point start at home to Leicester, who are a difficult side to weigh up. The Tigers are still without internationals Handre Pollard and Julian Montoya, while they hand a debut to centre Joseph Woodward. 

Their first two matches have featured just 66 points in total and the Falcons might be worth an interest with a double-figure start at home.

However, Leicester suffered a setback at home last week and may feel a trip to last season's bottom team is a chance to vent some steam.

Click for more free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.