Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens Prediction: Baxter’s Chiefs to cap Sarries rivalry in style

It's the final round of games in the Gallagher Prem on Saturday afternoon and all eyes will be on Devon as old foes Exeter Chiefs and Saracens do battle in what amounts to a straight knockout at Sandy Park (3:15pm BST, live on TNT Sports 2/ITV4).

The Chiefs are occupying fourth spot, but Rob Baxter and his side know that a win for Saracens and outgoing head coach Mark McCall will see the Londoners leapfrog them. Enda McElhinney provides his best bets in his Exeter Chiefs v Saracens prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Devon.

Team News

The Chiefs are without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Greg Fisilau off the back of their Welford Road win on Sunday, leaving Paul Brown-Bampoe and Christ Tshiunza to come into the starting XV.

Loosehead Scott Sio prepares to play his final game at Sandy Park with hooker Max Norey and tighthead Josh Iosefa-Scott beside him.

A tryscorer last weekend, Andrea Zambonin wears the number five with match captain Dafydd Jenkins his partner in the second row.

There is a reshuffle in the back row where Tom Hooper is on the blindside flank with Tshiunza at openside and Ethan Roots at No.8.

Elsewhere it's the same Chiefs side that turned over Leicester, including the centre partnership of Henry Slade and Len Ikitau, another having his Sandy Park farewell.

Two changes also for Sarries as Theo McFarland returns to the starting back row and Rotimi Segun is restored on the wing after recovering from a knee injury.

Maro Itoje captains a powerful side featuring England internationals Jamie George, Ben Earl and Tom Willis, with the replacements including Owen Farrell and Marco Riccioni.

Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens Odds

With home advantage Exeter Chiefs are narrow favourites at 5/6 to get the win, while Saracens can be backed at 11/10 to land the victory they need to make the play-offs. The draw is priced at 14/1.

The Chiefs are 10/11 with a one-point start, while the handicap draw is available at 18/1.

Exeter Chiefs -4 @ 6/5

Saracens are on a five-game winning sequence and will be desperate to ensure McCall's final game isn't a Devon defeat.

They know a win at Sandy Park will allow them to overtake old foes Exeter and slip into the play-offs, but it may not go their way.

The Chiefs showed up in Leicester last weekend, becoming the first away side to win at Welford Road this season.

Zambonin was outstanding, while full-back Olly Woodburn twice touched down in that 35-26 win after the visitors trailed at the break.

This rivalry is long-established and, yet, the Devon side have only beaten Saracens once in a play-off game - their dramatic last-gasp 2017 semi-final win at Sandy Park.

This is a regular season game but, as things stand, it's a straight knockout for the loser.

Exeter have won four of the last five meetings at Sandy Park and were 30-24 winners at the StoneX in December, so Baxter's side can get one over on McCall before he departs Saracens.