Olly Barkley has been in fine form with the boot for Bath this season © Getty Images

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Matches: Gloucester Rugby 34 - 22 Bath Rugby

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby | Gloucester Rugby

It's third versus fourth as Gloucester host Bath at Kingsholm on Saturday in what promises to be one of the games of the season.

Both sides go into the game in sensational form. Gloucester have won their last eight games in all competitions, with their most recent success a stirring 18-16 victory over Premiership play-off rivals Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens last weekend.

Bath, meanwhile, have tasted defeat just once in their last nine outings - a 26-19 defeat away to Biarritz in the Heineken Cup - and they showed impressive grit and resilience in battling their way to a 12-9 victory at Exeter last Saturday as they moved into the top four for the first time this season. An equally determined effort will be required again on Saturday.

Gloucester - Player to Watch: Nicky Robinson is in his last season at Kingsholm but will be vital to his side's success. He needs to have a big day with the boot and will also hope to outshine Butch James with ball in hand.

Gloucester - Team News: Rory and Scott Lawson return from international duty with Scotland at scrum-half and hooker respectively, while Paul Doran-Jones has also been drafted in after spending the week with England. Charlie Sharples returns on the wing and Henry Trinder gets the nod at outside-centre in place of Tim Molenaar.

Bath - Player to Watch: Matt Banahan tore Northampton apart on his last outing for Bath and the winger starts this weekend after being released from the England squad.

Bath - Team News: Jack Cuthbert shifts to fullback as Banahan and Tom Biggs are included on the wings while in the pack, David Flatman, Lee Mears and Duncan Bell link up to form a familiar front-row.

Key Battle: Gloucester need to shut down the fringes to prevent James and Michael Claassens bring Banahan into the game as frequently as they did against the Saints. They can trust their own attack to do some damage.

Trivia: Gloucester will equal their best winning run since 2002 if they triumph on Saturday.

Stats: Bath have won their last three away games.

Quote Unquote:

"That win at Rec has no relevance to this weekend. We've got to get our stuff right. That night was great for everyone involved. We held the field position well that evening and got rewards for it." - Gloucester boss Bryan Redpath only has eyes for this weekend

"Gloucester are a side who always play well at home. They have a good pack of forwards, some talented backs and they are well coached. We are going to have to be on top of our game to come away with a win, but we've gone away from home and done very well, especially since the New Year, so we know we are capable of getting the result we want." - Bath director of rugby Ian McGeechan is in confident mood

Fantasy: Bath ace Olly Barkley is the highest-scoring centre in this season's ESPNscrum Premiership Fantasy Rugby with 96 points to his name already.

Prediction: The home side are on a great run of form and will have the backing of the shed - Gloucester to wing a good contest.

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