Harlequins v Bristol Bears predictions and rugby union tips: Quins kept in check

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Harlequins v Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership on Friday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Harlequins to win by one to 12 points
1pt 9-5 Betfair

Match preview

Harlequins have picked up where they left off last season, edging two try-filled contests to make a successful start to the defence of their Premiership crown.

Quins ran in nine tries in the victories over Newcastle and Worcester and yet won both games by only six points.

They face their toughest test of the new campaign against Bristol in a repeat of last term's epic playoff semi-final.

Bristol looked to still be in a state of shock from that remarkable 43-36 extra-time defeat to Quins when being brushed aside by Saracens and Wasps to start this season. But the Bears were stirred into action by the visit of West Country rivals Bath last week.

A more aggressive approach served Bristol well as they won 25-20 and head coach Pat Lam has kept faith with the majority of the players that secured that narrow triumph.

Bristol can be expected to run the champions close having put up at least 27 points in the last four meetings with Quins, who have named fly-half Marcus Smith on the bench.

Smith’s return adds yet another prong to Harlequins’ excellent attack but while they continue to struggle to put away teams - their last six wins have come by an average margin of ten points - it’s worth backing them to continue to triumph by slim margins.

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