Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs Predictions : Tigers still have plenty to fight for

Leicester and Exeter have both lifted the Premiership trophy in the last five years but the Tigers are already out of the play-off picture as we reach the final round of the regular season, while the Chiefs need to win at Welford Road and other results to go their way if they are to break into the top four.

Fifth-placed Exeter are two points out of the play-off berths but the team above them, Sale, face a tough trip to champions Saracens and look likely to be overtaken. However, Exeter are also level on points with Harlequins and just one point above Bristol and as those teams play each other on Saturday afternoon, the West Country side know they must outperform the winners of that match.

Exeter have struggled for consistency this season but have won their last two matches while Leicester have picked up just one victory in their last five Premiership matches - against winless Newcastle.

Once a fortress, Leicester’s famous Welford Road stadium has been less secure this season and the Tigers have lost their last two home games, against Bristol and Gloucester.

Team News

Leicester captain Julian Montoya returns at hooker while veteran Mike Brown also starts on the wing as he returns from a suspension. Powerful back-rower Jasper Wiese starts his final game for the club while there is an international pairing in the half-backs with England’s Jack van Poortvliet and South Africa’s Handre Pollard.

Exeter’s club captain Jack Yeandle is missing with a knee injury so Max Norey starts at hooker. The Chiefs back three made up of Dan John, Olly Woodburn and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored three tries between them last week.

Match Odds

With nothing concrete to play for, Leicester are in the unusual position of being underdogs for a home Premiership match as Exeter go off 8-15 favourites and give up four points on the handicap.

Leicester +4 @ 20-21

Leicester have not been the most reliable team to back this season and their last two outings at home have ended in surprise defeats to Bristol and second-bottom Gloucester.

For a team who lifted the trophy two seasons ago, this campaign has been a disappointment but they look too generously treated with a four-point start in their final fixture.

Opponents Exeter have also been inconsistent this season and are aiming to win three successive league matches for the first time. They have won back-to-back matches against Gloucester and Harlequins but before that lost four out of five.

They have certainly found their scoring touch, picking up 12 tries in those two wins, but they come up against a physically powerful Leicester side who will still be fired up to go out on a high and have the international class in their line-up to at least make this a close contest.

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