Bath v Sale: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Bath and Sale meet in the second Premiership Rugby semi-final at The Rec on Saturday.

Both won on the final day as Bath beat table-toppers Northampton to secure a home semi-final, while Sale took third with a surprise win at Saracens.

Home advantage has tended to count at this stage in recent years and Bath have an excellent record at The Rec, including a 42-24 victory over Sale back in March.

The Sharks also have history against them, as no side that has finished third in the final standings has ever going on to win the title, while the last third-placed team to make the Grand Final being Saracens in 2010, who then went on to lose to Leicester.

Bath v Sale betting tips and predictions

Bath -9.5 - 6/5

Bath have been a nearly club in recent decades, making the final just once since losing to Wasps in 2004.

They also lost to Saracens in 2015 but have improved markedly under Johann van Graan, who was appointed in 2022 and prioritised adding grunt up front to ensure their forwards could gain parity.

With that job done, the board backed him by adding stardust to the back-line, with Finn Russell, arguably the former best number 10 in world rugby, dovetailing with underrated scrum-half Ben Spencer and star centres Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence.

The Rec has always been a tough place to visit and they have lost just twice at home in either the Premiership or Europe.

Sale, champions in 2006, will counter that they have won their last two away matches, claiming four victories on the spin to seal their place in the top four.

Alex Sanderson's side also have additional motivation after losing last season's Grand Final to Sarries. However, Bath have been brilliant and after beating the Sharks by 18 points in March, they should have enough again. 

Will Muir anytime tryscorer - 5/4

Bath wing Will Muir grabbed two tries in the win over Northampton and is the type of elusive runner that can break a tight game open.

The prospect of a Twickenham final could lead to both teams playing the percentages, while Russell and opposite number George Ford may kick for the corners rather than releasing their backs from the off.

Both are wonderful playmakers who like to pick their moments and should get those opportunities to unleash their backs.

That could provide opportunities for Muir to run riot. Russell can produce big moments with both ball-in-hand or via his wonderful kick-pass, where he drops the ball onto his right boot and picks out a colleague.

If he keeps his width, the 28-year-old could thrive.

Tom Roebuck anytime tryscorer - 15/8

Muir's opposite number Tom Roebuck could also shine. He has had a good season and really hit form in the run-in, dotting down twice in his team's final two games.

Roebuck also scored at The Rec in March and in last season's meeting at the AJ Bell.

Their duel down Bath's left/Sale's right could be blockbuster and do not be surprised to see both go over on Saturday.

Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site

Bath v Sale odds

Bath - 4/9
Tie - 20/1
Sale - 15/8

View the full market and more odds for Bath v Sale on site

Read Bath v Sale: How to watch, TV channel, kick-off time, head-to-head stats and team news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.