Bristol v Bath: free Premiership rugby union tips match preview & where to watch

Rugby union tips, best bets and predictions for Bristol v Bath in the Gallagher Premiership.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Bristol -5
2pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power, Sky Bet
Back this tip with Paddy Power

Match preview

Bristol began their first season back in the Premiership with a 17-10 win over Bath at Ashton Gate last year and they can repeat the trick this campaign.

Pat Lam’s charges survived in the top flight comfortably last term and an unbeaten run of four games to finish, including a 23-21 home success over champions Saracens, almost sneaked them into the European Champions Cup.

• Premiership season preview

As well as beating Bath at home, Bristol also scored wins against Harlequins, Gloucester, Leicester and Newcastle at Ashton Gate.

They also showed up well in a draw with Sale and narrow defeats to Northampton and Exeter. Indeed, the Bears always picked up at least a point in front of their fans last season.

Bath gained revenge with a 26-19 success when the sides met at Twickenham but new director of rugby Stuart Hooper names a very different-looking side due to World Cup demands and injuries.

By contrast, Lam has had plenty of his main men available all pre-season, including barnstorming new arrival Nathan Hughes. The Bears coach also has the luxury of reintroducing Samoa stars Chris Vui and Alapati Leiua from the replacements bench.

Bath lost five of their last six league away games last season and a five-point buffer may not be enough at Ashton Gate.

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