Sale v Bristol predictions: Sharks value to edge close contest

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

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Sale to win by one to ten points
1pt 9-4 Betfred

Match preview

When all-conquering Saracens were hit with a points deduction and relegation and Exeter stepped up to be crowned English and European champions last season, it looked as if the Devon side were set for a spell of unrivalled dominance.

But some serious contenders have stepped up this season, notably Bristol and Sale, who go head to head in the north-west on Friday night.

Table-topping Bristol have been imperious, losing just three matches all season, but one of those was at home to Friday's opponents Sale in February.

Sale lie third and have won six in a row, their best Premiership run for 15 years, and are looking to nail an unprecedented seventh straight victory.

This is the beginning of a tough run-in for the Sharks, whose final two matches after this one are against top-four rivals Harlequins and Exeter, and it's a difficult balancing act for head coach Alex Sanderson between keeping the winning run going and keeping players fresh for the playoffs.

Bristol are in a more comfortable position with an eight-point buffer over second-placed Exeter, but both clubs have named strong line-ups for this clash and it promises to be an epic battle between teams with contrasting styles.

Table-topping Bristol were at their swashbuckling, swaggering best in a 39-17 victory over Gloucester last week, running the ball from all areas and tying the Cherry & Whites defence in knots.

However, they were up against 14 men for more than an hour and squandered plenty more chances too. They looked a little casual at times and that is unlikely to cut it against a focused and intense Sale side.

The Sharks are the lowest scorers of the top four sides and have made a habit of grinding out wins through their physical edge. Eleven of their 14 victories - and all five of their defeats - have come by a margin of one to 12 points and it's hard to see the visitors running up a spectacular score.

Sale showed in the reverse fixture they have the physical presence and Bristol's lowest points returns have come against teams with big forward power - as well as a 20-13 defeat to Sale the Bears have been beaten 20-12 by Exeter and battled to a 17-3 victory over Leicester.

With their twin tactical-kicking threat of Faf de Klerk and AJ MacGinty, Sale will look to keep Bristol away from the danger zone and task their forwards with keeping a tight lid on the game.

It looks set to be a close, physical encounter and at the prices Sale look the value as marginal outsiders. However, in such a tantalising betting heat it could pay to swell the odds by banking on another narrow scoreline.

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