At Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol on December 2, 2023, Bristol Bears take on Gloucester at 15:05 UTC. Both teams enter the match facing a tough streak of five consecutive losses, with Bristol Bears falling 39-31 to Saracens and Gloucester experiencing a 38-20 defeat by Leicester Tigers last weekend.
Bristol Bears vs Gloucester
Date: 02/12/2023
Time: 15:05 UTC
Venue: Ashton Gate stadium
Bristol Bears and Gloucester are set to renew their rivalry, and the stats favor the Bears. Having won 9 of the last 16 head-to-head encounters, compared to Gloucester’s 7 victories and 0 draws, Bristol enters the match with a statistical edge. The memory of their last encounter in May, where the Bears won 36-21, further cements their recent dominance.
Both teams, however, find themselves in a slump, having lost their last 5 games in the Gallagher Premiership. Despite the recent struggles, Bristol Bears hold the advantage of playing on their home turf, and historical stats suggest they know how to navigate past Gloucester.
Taking into account the recent form, historical head-to-head performance, and home advantage, our prediction leans towards Bristol Bears with a -5.5 handicap. The Bears are poised to capitalize on their historical dominance, seeking to extend their winning record against Gloucester.
Prediction: Bristol Bears, -5.5 Asian Handicap
The Bears enter the match on the back of a tough streak, having suffered defeats in their last 5 games against Harlequins, Exeter Chiefs, Sale Sharks, Bath, and a narrow 39-31 loss to Saracens. The recent seven-try setback against Saracens underscores the uphill battle they’re currently navigating.
However, history might provide a glimmer of hope for Bristol. They boast a solid record against Gloucester, having won 9 of their last 16 head-to-head encounters. Notably, the Bears have secured victory in their last 4 home games against Gloucester, creating a trend that could serve as a source of confidence as they seek to reverse their current fortunes.
On the other side of the pitch, Gloucester also faces the daunting challenge of overcoming a five-game losing streak. Their recent defeats at the hands of Saracens, Sale Sharks, Bath, Exeter Chiefs, and a 38-20 setback against Leicester Tigers highlight the adversity they’re up against.
Bristol Bears: Genge, Oghre, Sinckler, Dun, Batley, Heenan, Thomas, Harding, Malins, Ibitoye, Vakatawa, Janse van Rensburg, Lane, Sheedy, Randall
Gloucester: McGuigan, Balmain, Clarke, Alemanno, Thomas, Ludlow, Clement, Carreras, Rees-Zammit, Harris, Atkinson, Thorley, Barton, Young, Vivas