By Peter Ryan
The Newcastle Falcons will head to Kingsholm to take on an electrifying Gloucester side in the final game of the opening block in the Gallagher Premiership.
A win would greatly benefit both teams, as Gloucester needs the points to make an impact on the table, while Newcastle will be looking to maintain the momentum from their impressive victory against the Exeter Chiefs.
It promises to be an intriguing game, with exciting betting options to complement the action on the pitch.
Historically, these two teams have had some close encounters, with Gloucester often emerging as the victors.
However, Newcastle’s recent win against the Chiefs might give them the confidence they need to upset the odds.
Newcastle Falcons
Not many expected Newcastle to make an impact at the start of the year, as the team cannot compete financially with their rivals, and this has been evident on the pitch.
Their campaign began with a series of losses to teams like the Bristol Bears, Harlequins, and Leicester Tigers.
However, they ended their long losing streak last weekend with a monumental win over the Chiefs. This result must have been a significant morale boost for Steve Diamond’s team, who will be relieved to have broken out of that losing rut.
Of course, Gloucester presents a different challenge compared to a struggling Exeter side, and Newcastle will be counting on players like Tom Gordon, Alex Hearle, and Callum Chick to secure a vital result away from home.
These players have been key to Newcastle’s recent success, and their performances will be crucial in the upcoming match. The team’s main strengths lie in their resilience and determination to fight until the final whistle.
However, a critical weakness is their dependence on key players such as Adam Radwan. If defences can neutralise these threats, Newcastle often struggles to find a way forward.
The Falcons will be aiming for a significant result this weekend to maintain their momentum and prove their doubters wrong.
Gloucester
When Gloucester take to the field, all eyes are on Kingsholm. George Skivington’s side plays an expansive, attractive brand of rugby.
They are potent in attack and capable of scoring a multitude of tries. The addition of three key signings — Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, and Christian Wade — has made a noticeable difference.
Alongside Max Llewellyn and Josh Hathaway, they form one of the most formidable backlines in Europe today. Williams, in particular, has been outstanding, using his speed, sharpness, and creativity to unlock defences.
Although their style of play is entertaining, it hasn’t always delivered results, as they have been prone to conceding a high number of tries. If they can address this defensive vulnerability, they could be serious contenders for a top-four finish by the end of the year. Gloucester is coming off a narrow loss to the Leicester Tigers in a match they arguably should have won. They will be eager to return to winning ways against Newcastle on home turf.
The Bets
When two teams like these face off, there are always some exciting betting options. The best bet seems to be for Gloucester to win by more than 18 points.
The quality gap between the squads is considerable, and Gloucester should be set for a comfortable victory.
This is reflected in the value bet, which suggests Gloucester winning by more than 23 points. They have shown an ability to score tries, and Newcastle’s defence has been less than perfect this year.
However, if you are approaching the game from a historical perspective, matches between these sides have often been closely contested.
So, if you’re looking for a longshot, Gloucester winning with a margin of between 8 and 14 points could be worth considering.
Best Bet: Gloucester to win by more than 18 points – 10/11
Value Bet: Gloucester to win by more than 23 points – 17/10
Longshot Bet: Gloucester to win with a margin between 8 and 14 – 4/1
