Bath ready to keep winning flow going

Aviva Premiership
BT Sport 1, 3pm Sunday

Bath's solid form and strong defence at the Rec combined with Gloucester's poor showings on the road ought to make for a comfortable home win in this west country derby.

A gritty 18-13 success in the wet at Pro14 champions Scarlets last week made it four straight wins with just 35 points conceded for Bath, who have a strong side out.

Experienced prop Nathan Catt and powerhouse back Matt Banahan return from injury and are the only changes to the line-up that won at Parc y Scarlets. Club captain Matt Garvey is also fit enough to make the bench, and all eight players called up for the autumn internationals are in action.

Bath's European Champions Cup fixtures haven't been the toughest but there is a marked benefit of playing at that higher level.

Gloucester put out a weakened team for their Challenge Cup defeat at Pau two weeks ago then ran away with it against a lame Agen effort last week, and they need to step up several gears against a battle-hardened side.

The Cherry & Whites have lost all four away matches they have played this season, failing to stay within the handicap every time, and their last Premiership trip ended in a 57-10 hammering at Sale.

Gloucester paid the price for being too loose in that game and will surely be tighter in a derby atmosphere, but Bath's defence and the weapons in their backline should ensure a comfortable winning margin.

Recommendation
Bath to win by 11 to 20 points
1pt 11-4 Betfair

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