Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs to leave empty-handed

It doesn’t get much bigger in the Gallagher Prem than the East Midlands derby, as Leicester Tigers prepare to host arch-rivals Northampton Saints on Saturday (3.05pm, ITV4) at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in the heartland of English rugby.

Team News

Starting with the Tigers,  Nicky Smith, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes get the nod in the front row, with George Martin and skipper Ollie Chessum in the second.

Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Joaquin Moro start in the back row, with Jack van Poortvliet combining with Charlie Titcombe in the half-backs.

Orlando Bailey and Will Wand partner up in the centres, with Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and George Pearson in the back three.

As for the Chiefs, Exeter go with Scott Sio, Max Norey and Josh Iosefa-Scott in the front row, while skipper Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin are in the engine room.

Tom Hooper, Ethan Roots and Greg Fisilau complete the pack, with Stephen Varney and Harvey Skinner at scrum-half and fly-half.

Len Ikitau and Henry Slade pair up in the centres, while the West Country outfit go with a back three of Campbell Ridl, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Olly Woodburn.

Leicester vs Exeter Odds

Leicester Tigers are 1/3 to win on home soil, while Exeter Chiefs are 23/10 to stun the home crowd at Welford Road.

A draw is available at 22/1, while the Tigers with a -4.5 half-time handicap at Welford Road are 10/11.

Leicester Tigers -10 handicap @ 11/10

Winning all of their eight home games in the Gallagher Prem this season, Welford Road has once again become a fortress for the Tigers.

With Bath’s surprising defeat at Bristol Bears on Friday night, Leicester have a huge opportunity to leapfrog the Blue, Black and Whites into second spot in the table.

Exeter will likely need one win from their remaining two games of the regular season to secure a play-off place but that victory is unlikely to come this weekend.

Leicester have been excellent in recent weeks, with a 41-17 win over Northampton Saints followed by a 47-33 win at Sale Sharks.

The Tigers managed to win their last home meeting with Exeter in the Prem 28-15 and a similar scoreline, with the Tigers covering the -10 handicap, gets the thumbs up.

Jamie Blamire anytime tryscorer @ 21/20

Looking at the anytime tryscorer market, Tigers hooker Jamie Blamire jumps off the page considering his recent record.

Scoring seven tries in his last six appearances in all competitions, the 28-year-old looks like great value to add to his growing try tally on Sunday.

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