Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons Prediction: Chiefs can edge basement battle

This weekend provides what should be an intriguing battle at the bottom end of the Gallagher Premiership table as Exeter Chiefs host Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park on Saturday (15:00, TNT Sports Extra).

Alex Jack provides his best bets for this basement battle, as well as all the essential team news and match odds, in his Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons predictions below.

Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons Odds

Exeter Chiefs are the 1/9 favourites to claim a valuable win on home soil, while Newcastle Falcons are 6/1 to make the long trip back to the north east with the spoils.

A draw at Sandy Park is currently available at 28/1.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Starting with Exeter, the Chiefs have been handed positive news ahead of this match with England centre Henry Slade passed fit after being brought off following a heavy collision during their last game at Bristol Bears.

However, full-back Dan John suffered a hamstring injury just after half-time in that 52-38 defeat to the Bears at Ashton Gate and will miss Saturday's clash against Newcastle this weekend.

As for the Falcons, director of rugby Steve Diamond has confirmed lock Philip van der Walt won’t feature this weekend after he picked up a knock in the 39-15 home defeat to Sale Sharks last time out.

The experienced second-row Sebastian de Chaves could be handed a place in the starting XV if Kiran McDonald doesn’t recover from the problem he also sustained in that encounter against the Sharks.

Exeter Chiefs -15 handicap @ 8/11

Sandy Park has certainly not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle over the years, which includes suffering the Falcons' second-worst ever Premiership defeat in 2021 in a 74-3 12-try demolition.

Exeter are not the force they once were as they have to manage a more stringent budget these days but they are still a tough team to beat on their own patch in Devon.

The stars in Saracens’ team learnt that the hard way in the last Premiership game to be played at Sandy Park back in January, with Exeter coming out on top 31-22 in that game against Mark McCall’s men.

Rob Baxter’s side will have revenge on their minds when they face the Falcons this weekend, having lost 24-18 in their last meeting in the Premiership at Kingston Park back in October.

Given the frailties of the defences of both sides, a high-scoring encounter can be expected on Saturday in a game that the Chiefs should be able to win comfortably.

Considering their outstanding record in this fixture in the home comforts of Sandy Park, the Chiefs to cover the -15 handicap in this battle between the two bottom teams in the Premiership looks to be the way to go.

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