Saracens had a day to forget against Bath in their final game of 2024 but they can start 2025 on the right foot when they host Bristol Bears at StoneX Stadium on Saturday.
Playing a mixed-strength side at The Recreation Ground and seeing Toby Knight shown a red card in just the 14th minute of the game, Saracens were put to the sword by a strong Bath side last month.
A new year and a fresh start for what could be a year to remember for Sarries, the London outfit will be eager to earn a big win this weekend against a Bristol side currently occupying second place in the Premiership standings.
Saracens -10 handicap - 10/11
Winning all of their last seven games against Bristol, Saracens have an excellent record in this fixture and look capable of making it eight wins on the spin against the Bears on Saturday.
Sarries have brought in the reinforcements after the heavy defeat against Bath, with Mark McCall overseeing eight changes.
Maro Itoje skippers the side from the second-row, while it is set to be a big day for a certain Jamie George, as the England hooker prepares to make his 300th appearance for Saracens.
Bristol go into this game on the back of a humbling 38-0 defeat on home soil against the Sale Sharks, in a performance that will have rocked confidence in the Bears’ camp.
Coming up against a strengthened Saracens outfit at StoneX Stadium, the Bears’ defence will be put to the test and the hosts look capable of not only winning but also falling on the right side of the -10 handicap.
Jamie George first tryscorer - 11/1
As mentioned, Saturday will be a landmark game for George and the prolific tryscoring hooker is good value to power over for the opening try of the match this weekend.
The last time Saracens and Bristol went head-to-head at StoneX Stadium was last season, with George scoring a try in a 39-31 win for the hosts.
With Saracens dangerous in their rolling maul at the lineout, George is often unstoppable close to the line when he joins the back of the pack from the set piece.
The 34-year-old might be getting on in years but he is still playing at a high level and can get Sarries off to a positive start on Saturday in his 300th appearance for the club.
Elliot Daly anytime tryscorer - 6/4
A player who bagged a brace the last time these sides met earlier this season, George’s fellow England international Elliot Daly is one to look out for in the anytime tryscorer market.
Daly bagged himself a brace of tries for Sarries at Ashton Gate earlier this season, as Sarries came away from the West Country with an impressive 37-35 victory.
Former British & Irish Lions utility back Daly continues to be a threat out in the wide channels and, against a Bristol defence that was badly exposed against the Sharks last time out, the 32-year-old can add to his try tally for the season at StoneX Stadium on Saturday.
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Saracens - 1/4
Tie - 25/1
Bristol Bears - 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.