Bristol vs Sale Sharks Predictions - Bristol to register sixth win in a row

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Bristol won five consecutive games, including three at home.
Sale Sharks struggled away, with one win in last five outings.
Bristol predicted to cover the -4.5 handicap.

Bristol have been in top form at home in recent outings (Getty Images)

Bristol have found form in recent outings, including at home. Sale Sharks have struggled to win away from home lately, although they boast a solid record when playing Bristol in their own backyard.

Bristol have won 5 consecutive games in all competitions.
Bristol have won 7 of their last 8 home fixtures in all competitions.
Bristol have lost 4 of their last 5 home matches to the Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Sale Sharks have lost 6 of their last 7 away matches in all competitions.

Head to Head

The Sale Sharks have an advantage with 14 victories to seven against Bristol, including one draw in 21 meetings.

Bristol Form

Bristol did not trouble the score much in the first half against Newcastle last weekend, scoring two tries and a conversion to trail 17-12 at half-time.

However, Bristol turned their fortunes around in the second half, scoring four tries and two conversions to beat Newcastle 36-27 at home.

Bristol defeated Exeter 18-14 and lost 49-19 to Bath before beating the Northampton Saints 46-12, Pau 61-12, and Newcastle 36-27 in their last five home fixtures.

The Bristol Bears are 4th in the Premiership table with 29 points from eight games.

Bristol have been in fine form lately, winning five in a row, including three successive home victories, giving them the belief to register an overdue home win over Sale Sharks.

Sale Sharks Form

Sale Sharks scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Harlequins last weekend, but went into the break trailing by five points.

Sale Sharks produced an excellent second-half display against Harlequins, crossing the try line five times and slotting three conversions to cruise to an easy 43-17 home victory over the Harlequins.

Sale Sharks have not had much success away from home in their last five outings. They lost 65-14 to Saracens, 36-35 to Leicester Tigers, 20-0 to Bath, defeated Clermont 35-14 before losing 47-21 to the Northampton Saints.

Sale are 7th in the Premiership standings on 18 points after eight rounds.

Sale Sharks have found winning on the road difficult so far, but they have won four of their last five visits to Bristol; however, their hosts have found form lately.

Team News

Bristol

Head coach Pat Lam has highlighted that Louis Rees-Zammit’s recent stint in the NFL has helped him become a better player: “He’ll beat tackles, he’s powerful. I think he fights a long time on his feet. If you take a little snapshot – a look from a close up [in contact] – you think he’s playing the NFL, working his way through the scrimmage line and the defenders. The only thing they haven’t got is pads.

“You look at the change of angles, the quick feet and the power in the tackle – he keeps his feet longer. He’s come back in that physical game a lot better.”

Sale Sharks

The Sale Sharks are reportedly interested in signing Springbok Faf de Klerk, whose contract with the Yokohama Canon Eagles is set to expire at the end of the season.

Bath have made a bid to entice Dan du Preez away from returning to the Sharks in Durban.