Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Home form can help Exeter edge Tigers

Exeter and Leicester both enjoyed successful starts to their Champions Cup campaigns and confidence will be high heading into Saturday's Premiership clash at a sold-out Sandy Park.

The Chiefs produced late heroics to beat both Toulon 19-18 and Munster 32-24 and put themselves in a strong position to qualify from Pool 3.

Meanwhile, Leicester defeated South African side Stormers 35-26 before a much-changed side went to Paris and upset Stade Francais 27-24 to place them second in Pool 4. The Tigers' feel-good factor has also been boosted this week by the news that several big names have signed new contracts at Welford Road.

Back in domestic action, both Rob Baxter and Dan McKellar will be looking to build on their sides' European results, but the Chiefs' superb home record hints that they could have enough to win a Christmas cracker in Devon.

Match Odds

Exeter are 20/21 to win at home for the sixth time this season, with a tie priced at 10/11 and the Tigers 5/6 in the match betting.

With the teams well-matched on paper, the Winning Margin markets may appeal, with the Chiefs 2/1 to win by 1-12 points inclusive and the Tigers 21/10 in the same metric.

Team News

Exeter have made four changes for Saturday's match, with club captain Jack Yeandle returning at hooker, while Lewis Pearson starts in the second row.

Ethan Roots is included at blindside flanker and Rory O'Loughlin is rewarded for his impact off the bench against Munster with a start on the right wing.

After leaving some of their stars at home for the win over Stade, internationals Freddie Steward, Handre Pollard, captain Julian Montoya, Dan Cole, Ollie Chessum and Jasper Wiese are among those who return for Leicester.

Flanker Tommy Reffell misses out through injury, so Emeka Ilione makes his first maiden for the club, while prop James Whitcombe is named in McKellar's starting XV for the first time in the league this season.

Exeter to win @ 20/21

Exeter have excelled this season. A summer that saw no fewer than four British & Irish Lions leave suggested they could struggle but Baxter and his staff's foresight in blooding youngsters over the last couple of campaigns meant those coming in were ready to shine, regardless of age.

Exeter's youngsters have contributed to a magnificent home record, with the Chiefs currently on a run of 22 games unbeaten at Sandy Park in all competitions.

They are a perfect five-from-five at home this season and will be full of confidence after backing up their victory in Toulon by edging out Munster.

Leicester rotated heavily for their win in Paris and have recalled some of their big boys for this game, but have not won at Sandy Park in the league since 2014.

Exeter look irresistible at the moment and their home form makes it difficult not to side with them in what could be a fabulous game.

Rugby Union betting tips, from Insights.