Sunday Premiership predictions and rugby union tips: Bath can keep it close

Free rugby union tips, best bets and analysis for Sunday's Gallagher Premiership games.

Europe has been the focus for English clubs over the last two weekends but it's back to business in the domestic top flight on Sunday and there's a TV double-header to savour.

Bristol v Leicester

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Bristol +2
2pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Back-to-back Champions Cup victories over Bordeaux and Connacht maintained Leicester's flawless start to the season, and although Bristol benefited from a week off, Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick managed his squad well and this promises to be a full-on confrontation.

While Leicester are top of the table, Bristol have been struggling to reach last season's standards. However, the Bears are getting players back to fitness and among the seven changes Pat Lam has made to his side is a first outing of the season for Fijian wizard Semi Radrada.

It's a strong home line-up, also featuring half-backs Harry Randall and Callum Sheedy, and there's no doubt Bristol will be keyed up to ensure this is a turning point in a season that has yielded just three wins in nine outings.

The last meeting between these teams, at Welford Road in June, ended in acrimony as Bristol, down to 14 men, held out for a 26-23 win, and this could be equally close-fought.

The hosts are a shade of odds-against but it might be worth taking a two-point handicap start.

Bath v Gloucester

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

Bath +6
2pts 10-11 Hills

Match preview

Bath's winless start to the Premiership was compounded by a heavy defeat to Leinster in Europe, but their performances have been promising and they can put in another strong show at home to west country rivals Gloucester.

Last week's scheduled European clash with La Rochelle was called off so Bath are able to name a strong side, with flanker Sam Underhill back plus Ruaridh McConnochie and Jonathan Joseph returning to the backline.

Gloucester were impressive in their 54-25 Challenge Cup success against Benetton, having lost in Lyon the week before, and have lost just one of their last seven Premiership starts.

But they have been made to work on the road, winning 35-33 at Wasps, drawing 25-25 at London Irish, while they won by eight points at last season's bottom side Worcester.

Bookmakers aren't giving much away with a six-point handicap start but Bath have shown enough in patches to suggest they can be competitive and they can play a full part again.

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