Connacht vs Bristol Predictions - Connacht set for narrow win

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 18 Jan 2024

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Marc Thomas 18 Jan 2024

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Connacht vs Bristol predictions for Friday’s European Champions Cup match
Bears have won their last 2 away matches
Can Connacht get their 1st win in the Champions Cup?

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Connacht set for first Champions Cup win of the season (Getty Images)

Connacht vs Bristol Preview

Both teams are in pretty average form although Bristol have at least got two recent victories. That said, Connacht at full strength at home is a very tough proposition for any side. I’m backing the hosts to win by more than three points.

Connacht vs Bristol Preview
Head to Head
Connacht Form
Connacht Injuries & Team News
Bristol Form
Bristol Injuries & Team News

Connacht have lost their last 3 Champions Cup matches.
Connacht have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
Bristol have lost 2 of their last 3 matches.

Head to Head

Bristol beat Connacht 27-18 away in the Champions Cup back in 2020.

Connacht Form

After making a storming start to their season in the URC, Connacht has slipped back in results over the last couple of months.

They have lost all three of their Champions Cup games to date and their form in the URC has also suffered. Connacht were thrashed 41-5 at home in their first Champions Cup game before going down 55-36 at Saracens.

A return to the URC didn’t improve their fortunes much as Ulster won 20-19 against Connacht. The following week, the Irish club won their derby 22-9 at home against Munster but last week lost 34-20 at Lyon in the Champions Cup.

Connacht Injuries & Team News

Without a win Connacht may place their focus on the URC moving forward. However, they won’t want to suffer a home defeat, so I am banking on them selecting a strong outfit.

Bristol Form

Bristol have managed just the single win in their three Champions Cup games to date. That victory came at home to Lyon on their first game.

The Bears followed it up with a 36-17 defeat to Bordeaux in France before returning to the Premiership with a 21-13 victory over Newcastle away. Bristol then suffered a 24-14 loss at home to Exeter.

An impressive win at Sale came next but the Bears failed to back it up against the Bulls in their return to the Champions Cup. They lost the game 31-17 at home and were outplayed comprehensively.