Alright, let's cut the small talk and step into this Premiership heat between Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears. A Bath so fresh it's hardly had time to get frothy, up against a pack of Bears angling to make waves in the league.
Browsing the archives, the Bears seem to have a slight edge over our clean-fearing friends – despite a smaller margin the last time they locked horns, they showed some real gumption in January '24, laying down a saucy 57 to Bath's 44. Then again, judging by the win-loss record, Bath's performance this season is as impeccable as it can be, leading on with a beautiful harmony of 2-0. Bristol? Not so much, split in the middle and tailing behind with a 1-1.
Speaking of tails, the Bears seem to be fluctuating like a Monday stock market. One minute they're on a tear shaking the turf with their ghastly growls, next they're slipping on banana peels – I still shudder at the memory of that Saracens match. Bath, on the other hand, have been brewing a cocktail of consistent performances, just look at those recent results – enough to make you short of breath.
Finally, barding in the ranks, these two make up the second and third act of the Premiership series. Bath solid on the second, with Bristol eying them from the third spot.
What's that? You want a prediction? Fine. Considering the numbers, and incorporating the potential wind speed, lunar phase and whether I had cereal for breakfast... give me a second...
Albert’s Prediction: Bath Rugby by 3