You’d never have predicted at the start of the season that the newly-promoted side from the Championship would be 18-point favourites against the previous year’s Premiership semi-finalists.
But it just goes to show how quickly Saracens have readjusted to life at the top level and how far Bristol have fallen that this is the case here.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium becomes the 40th different venue to host a Premiership Rugby fixture and we expect Sarries, who currently sit second in the table, to put on a performance befitting a top-class venue.
With Max Malins and Ben Earl in the home team’s XV, Bristol will be reminded of what they are missing. Those two were brilliant for the Bears whilst on loan at Ashton Gate from Saracens.
Bears boss Pat Lam raised some eyebrows with his selection of a number of youngsters ahead of star turns like Charles Piutau and Semi Radradra who have to be content with a place amongst the replacements.
You’d expect a strong finish to the game from Bristol considering the strength of their bench but it is debatable they’ll be able to cover the 18-point handicap.
Backing Sarries at Even money to score over 17 points makes sense.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode; 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Elliot Daly; 10 Owen Farrell (capt.), Aled Davies; 1 Richard Barrington, 2 Jamie George, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 6 Jackson Wray, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi,, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Duncan Taylor, 23 Sean Maitland
Bristol: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Antoine Frisch, 11. Jack Bates, 10. Tiff Eden, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Jake Armstrong, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce (c), 6. Chris Vui, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Fitz Harding.
16. Jake Kerr, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. John Afoa, 19. Sam Jeffries, 20. Max Green, 21. Callum Sheedy, 22. Semi Radradra, Chasrles Piutau
