Bath v Gloucester Preview

This is no ordinary Premiership rugby encounter. This is Bath against Gloucester at The Rec in the first West Country derby of the season - in which the roar of the crowd is that bit larger. Form and league position fly out of the window, as pride, passion and local rivalry take centre stage. So, you can pretty much forget that the hosts are fifth with six wins from eight outings - including an impressive victory on the road at Scarlets in the Champions Cup. And forget that the eighth-placed visitors, who have four from eight this season, put European rivals Agen to the sword at Kingsholm last time out. This one goes on gut instinct.

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Bath v Gloucester Prediction

The Rec has not been a happy hunting ground for Gloucester in recent seasons - last time the Cherry and Whites played here, they were on the wrong end of a 44-20 scoreline, a match in which the hosts' Wales and British and Irish Lions star Taulupe Faletau scored a hat-trick of tries. Which, in part, explains why our Rugby Union Odds have Bath as strong favourites to pick up at least four points. The visitors' task has not been made easier by reports that a number of injured players - including captain Matt Garvey, Chris Cook, Ben Tapuai, who suffered a concussion in the match against Worcester Warriors - are training again and available for selection. Everything suggests a home win. But, as anyone who reads Rugby Union betting tips regularly will know, you write off Gloucester at your peril. Especially because this is a West Country derby.

Bath v Gloucester Betting Tips

This is Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann's first West Country derby party. Some might suggest that nothing can prepare him for what he's about to experience - but it also frees him from the baggage of recent disappointments at the Rec. And he has a not-so-secret weapon in Harry Trinder, who has bounced back from a series of serious injuries to show his immense value to the Cherry and Whites. If he plays to his potential, that 4/1 offer at Betway looks tempting The centre demonstrated his worth with two memorable tries in the 29-24 victory over Northampton Saints before the European break. If anyone can unlock the Bath defence it's Trinder, who will be out to prove England coach Eddie Jones was wrong to leave him out of the squad to face Argentina on November 11. Bath will be aware of his threat - but it is one thing to know about a danger, and quite another to be able to do anything about it.

While hosts Bath are undeniable favourites for the points, you can expect the opening period of Sunday afternoon's encounter to be a tight affair, as both sets of players are swept along by the passion of a sell-out crowd. Even last season's big 44-20 home win for Todd Blackadder's men was only decided in the second period. The first 40 ended with the scores almost locked at 10-8 - before the hosts ripped through their guests with five second-half tries to the visitors' three. Moreover, four of the eight second-period touchdowns were scored in a breathless closing 10 minutes as both sides ran out of defensive steam at the end of a bruising and shattering encounter. All of which makes a first-half draw well worth looking at. Sportingbet's 12/1 is currently the best price on the market, and they are offering up to £50 of free bets to punters who place £10 at odds of 1.5 or greater.