- Bristol -7 on the h-cap (10/11, widely available)
- Bristol >23.5 points (10/11, Paddy Power)
- Bristol half-time/full-time (4/6, Paddy Power)
Wasps’ decline in the last month or so has almost been as dramatic as their ascent when Lee Blackett replaced Dai Young as the man in charge in February last year.
The Coventry-based side have only won one of their last six Premiership matches, and that was a scrappy 17-13 win at struggling Worcester. Bristol, meanwhile, are riding high at the top of the table, six points clear of Exeter.
Blackett led Wasps to the Premiership final in 2020 and they were expected to back that up this year. However, international call-ups and injuries to key players like Alfie Barbeary, and now Jack Willis, have been keenly felt.
Wasps are unbeaten in their last 13 outings against Bristol (12 wins and a draw) but that remarkable record will surely come to an end at Ashton Gate on Friday night.
Bristol have the firepower to turn games their way in an instant and they’re also the most disciplined team in the league, giving away the fewest penalties on average per game.
Crucially, they are a team full of confidence whereas Wasps are not, and Ashton Gate on a Friday night is not the place you want to go to when searching for a morale-boosting result.
Bristol at half-time and full-time (4/6, Paddy Power) looks nailed on if this season’s stats play out as predicted.
The West Country side have scored 23 tries in the first half to 15 in the second, while Wasps have scored just 81 points to 183 against before the break. Wasps’ aggregate points difference is -73 in the first half, Bristol’s is +56 points.
