Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers Prediction: Cheika to inspire Tigers to victory

Leicester Tigers will begin life under new head coach Michael Cheika when they make the trip to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs in their Premiership opener on Saturday (15:05 kick-off).

Read on for my Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

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Last season was a disappointing Premiership campaign for these two former English champions, with Exeter finishing in seventh, five points ahead of eighth-placed Leicester.

Cheika has been tasked with trying to take Leicester back to the play-offs and, with the experienced Australian tactician at the helm, the Tigers look capable of making a winning start against the Chiefs this weekend.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Australia prop Scott Sio has been named as skipper to take on his former Wallabies coach in Cheika this weekend.

Niall Armstrong and Harvey Skinner make up the half-back pairing, with Joe Hawkins, Ben Hammersley, Olly Woodburn, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Josh Hodge completing the backline.

England centre Henry Slade will miss the early weeks of the Premiership season after shoulder surgery.

As for Leicester, Cheika has named Ollie Chessum as skipper for the trip to Sandy Park, with scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet as vice-captain.

There’s experience in the pack, with lock Harry Wells set to make his 200th appearance for the Tigers on Saturday.

Jamie Shillcock joins Van Poortvliet in the half-backs in the absence of Handre Pollard, who is away on international duty with South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

Solomone Kata is joined by debutante Izaia Perese in the centres, with Ollie Hassell-Collins, Josh Bassett and Freddie Steward making up the back three.

Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tiger Odds

Exeter Chiefs are the 1/2 favourites to win on home soil, while the Leicester Tigers are available at 7/4 to head back to the East Midlands with the victory.

A draw at Sandy Park is currently 20/1, while Leicester to be leading at half-time and full-time is 12/5.

Leicester Tigers to win @ 7/4

While Leicester have struggled over recent years at Sandy Park, the opening weekend of the season tends to throw up a few surprises.

Leicester can certainly take heart from their last encounter with Exeter at Welford Road back in May, beating the Chiefs 40-22.

With Cheika’s influence and with the Chiefs set to miss the influence of Slade with his attacking play and kicking ability, Leicester are good value to come away from Sandy Park with the spoils.

Leicester Tigers win by 1-12 points @ 11/4

If the Tigers are to be triumphant on Saturday, it’s not likely they will be able to blow the Chiefs off the park and a tight encounter is expected.

With that in mind, there is value to be had looking to the Tigers to win by a 1-12 point margin in this heavyweight clash between two former Premiership champions.

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