Bristol burnished their burgeoning title hopes with a magnificent 54-24 win at Leicester on Saturday and can add some further festive cheer by beating Sale Sharks on Friday.
The Sharks head to Ashton Gate after a solid 28-10 win over Exeter but are a mixed bag on the road, winning only one of their last seven games in all competitions, with that success coming at Championship Doncaster in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Alex Sanderson's side have won their last two Premiership visits to Bristol but the Bears are on the prowl.
Coach Pat Lam had to rebuild following their 2021 semi-final defeat to Harlequins, in which they squandered a 28-0 lead. It has taken plenty of time but the board's loyalty has been rewarded and they look good to go ahead of Bath, who host Saracens on Saturday.
Bristol -10.5 - 2-Way Handicap Betting - 1/1
Bristol and Sale represent a clash of styles, with the Bears scoring the most points in the Premiership (309) and the Sharks a tad more stodgy.
Their trademark defence has abated a bit this season, with Sanderson potentially looking to make the Sharks more expansive, having found themselves unable to grind past teams at times last season.
Their playmaking axis of George Ford and Rob du Preez can be fun to watch but Sale may still regret allowing AJ MacGinty to leave in 2022, with the 34-year-old among the most exciting fly-halves in the division and one of 10 Bears to have had new contracts announced this week.
MacGinty's return gave the Bristol attack far more edge at Leicester, where they won on the road for a record 10th straight game. The USA playmaker is out for this game but youngster Sam Worsley is an exciting talent and knows the system.
Lam's side have not been as convincing at Ashton Gate but the way they are moving the ball is a sight to behold and appear in the mood to make their mark in front of a packed-out crowd.
Bristol equalled another record at Leicester by matching Exeter's 2017 feat of scoring a ninth straight try bonus point and even without MacGinty, could set a new benchmark in another impressive victory.
Gabriel Ibitoye anytime tryscorer - 4/5
Bristol ran in eight tries at Welford Road, including a score for Gabriel Ibitoye, who moved on to a league-high seven league tries for the season and also had a hand in at least a couple of others.
The buzz around the game is that the Bears' star has to be included in Steve Borthwick's England squad for the Six Nations, with the much-travelled star one of the most watchable players in the country.
Ibitoye has the perfect blend of physicality and skill to trouble any opponent and won't fear facing a Sharks defence that has slackened off somewhat.
Look for him to get on the board, with 4/1 for him to score two or more tries also worth serious consideration.
Luke Cowan-Dickie anytime tryscorer - 5/4
Sale's approach is likely to be based on trying to dominate the ball to allow Ford to put them in good areas.
They may have the edge up front and few are as good in the tight as 2021 British & Irish Lions Test hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.
The former Exeter man has had his injury issues but has put a run of games together and might feel he is due a try after missing out in his team's last three.
The 31-year-old's five tries is the most of any forward in the Premiership and he is a decent price to bundle over again.
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Bristol - 1/4
Tie - 25/1
Sale - 3/1
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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.