Sale v Gloucester predictions and rugby union tips: Sharks to edge tight contest

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Sale v Gloucester in the Premiership on Saturday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 1pm Saturday

Best bet

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

Match preview

Gloucester's 38-22 win over Exeter last week had the pundits purring but they face a tough test against a Sale side smarting from back-to-back defeats and are without some key players.

Fly-half Adam Hastings and winger Louis Rees-Zammit, man of the match against the Chiefs, are on international duty, and while the Cherry & Whites retain a strong pack, that is an area where Sale so often hold their own.

Despite those defeats to Saracens and Harlequins, Sale remain second in the table and their stronger attacking play this season could be key against Gloucester.

Last season the Sharks ground out wins but this term they bagged try-bonus points in four of their first five games while Gloucester have shipped at least three tries in every match.

Sale have won four of their last five meetings with Gloucester, and that one defeat was by a single point at Kingsholm, and they should be fired up to maintain that strong record.

Conditions may be wet and Gloucester have shown the strength of their pack, so it could be a close battle, but Sale can edge a victory.

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