Leicester Tigers vs Bristol RC Bears Prediction & Betting Tips - English Premiership Rugby

Prediction published on 25/04/2024, 10:00  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 27/04/2024 at 02:00 in Rugby Predictions

The Leicester Tigers will take on the Bristol Bears in Week 16 of the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday afternoon. The hosts are in eighth place in the league standings, while the visitors are fourth. In what is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested league seasons in recent memory, the upcoming matches are of utmost importance, and a sell-out crowd is expected this week at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium. Leicester Tigers find themselves in a crucial moment following their 40-17 loss to league leaders Northampton Saints last weekend. Currently occupying eighth place in the standings, the Tigers are only six points behind fourth-placed Bristol. However, their situation has been compounded by the suspension of centre Solomone Kata for three games due to a red card incident involving a dangerous tackle on Fraser Dingwall during the Northampton game. Northampton capitalized on the numerical advantage to score three unanswered tries and secure the 40-17 victory. While Leicester are now hoping to avoid a third consecutive home defeat, they are slight favourites in this match, according to the bookmakers. 
 

Bristol Bears delivered a dominant performance last Sunday, running in an impressive 13 tries to dismantle struggling Newcastle Falcons with a resounding 85-14 victory that propelled them into the top four of the Premiership standings. Siva Naulago, James Dun, Max Malins, Magnus Bradbury, James Williams, Ellis Genge, Benhard Janse van Rensburg (twice), Harry Randall, Kieran Marmion, Jake Heenan, and Virimi Vakatawa (twice) all contributed tries in a relentless display at Ashton Gate. Bristol's remarkable tally of 85 points set a new record for the highest score by a home team in Premiership history, surpassing Harlequins. With that, Bristol leapfrogged Harlequins in the league standings. However, Bristol's path to securing a top-four finish is not without challenges, as they are set to face Saracens at home and Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop in their upcoming matches. Nevertheless, they have the momentum, having won three of their last four away games. Additionally, they beat this opponent 25-14 at home last season.