Bristol v Bath predictions and rugby union tips: Take Bears to edge to a victory

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Bristol v Bath in the Gallagher Premiership.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Bristol to win by one to 12 points
1pt 19-10 Betfred

Match preview

Bristol lost their first match last season before finishing top of the table, and although they have lost their first two this time, Friday's West Country derby against Bath could bring up their first success.

The Bears haven't clicked on the pitch this term, slipping to a home defeat to Saracens in round one before a 44-8 hammering at Wasps.

They are still without Fijian flyer Semi Radrada in the backline but the return of prop Kyle Sinckler and scrum-half Harry Randall are a boost.

And there are still plenty of attacking gems in the line-up including full-back Charles Piutau, who has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. Bristol's execution has lacked sharpness after a summer without a meaningful pre-season, but two games in that should pick up.

Bath are also without a win and may struggle up front even with England forwards Josh McNally and Will Stuart back.

Bristol's only home defeats last season came to fellow top-four sides Exeter and Sale, and although they could find no way past the suffocating defence of Saracens in round one, Bath are unlikley to present such a tough challenge.

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