Bath vs Exeter Chiefs Prediction: Hosts can run riot at The Rec

It’s been a torrid start to the season for the Exeter Chiefs and things certainly won’t get any easier for Rob Baxter’s side when they take on Bath at The Recreation Ground in a West Country derby on Saturday (17:45, TNT Sports 1).

Alex Jack provides his Bath vs Exeter Chiefs prediction, alongside team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Failing to win any of their games this season and only ahead of Newcastle Falcons, who have beaten Exeter this term, thanks to bonus points, few would have expected the Chiefs to still be searching for their first victory of the campaign at this stage.

While Exeter can count themselves unfortunate not to have gotten off the mark after some narrow defeats, it’s hard to see them claiming the win and the bragging rights this weekend.

Bath are once again impressing at the top of the Premiership standings and, with some big names back in the lineup after the Autumn Nations Series, the Blue, Black and Whites could run riot at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Bath welcome back the star half-back pairing of Ben Spencer and Finn Russell to the starting line-up.

Having been away on England duty, Spencer will skipper the side, while Russell is straight back in at fly-half after guiding Scotland to victory over Australia at Murrayfield with a try-scoring performance.

England’s Ollie Lawrence returns in the centres and fellow Red Rose stars Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels and Ted Hill all come straight into the starting pack.

As for the Chiefs, Exeter’s forwards are unchanged from the team that beat Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup last time out.

England centre Henry Slade has been named to start at fly-half for the first time since April 2022, while fellow international Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns on the wing.

Gallagher Premiership Odds

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Match Odds

Bath are firm favourites at 2/11 to land derby spoils on Saturday, while Exeter are 4/1 to claim their first Premiership win of the season.

A draw at The Rec is available at 22/1, while the Chiefs are 20/21 one the +5.5 in the first-half handicap market.

Bath -14 handicap @ 11/10

Having already beaten the Chiefs 26-14 at Sandy Park earlier this season, Bath should be able to record an even more convincing victory over Exeter this weekend.

The Rec has not been a happy hunting ground for the Chiefs, who have lost on all of their last three visits to Bath in all competitions.

Bath scored 34 or more points in all those three games, so with that considered and with Spencer and Russell pulling the strings against Slade who will be rusty at No.10, expect the hosts to have little difficulty overcoming the -14 handicap on offer this weekend in the West Country.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights