Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs Prediction: Tigers can bring Chiefs back down to earth

Exeter Chiefs finally got off the mark with their first win of the Premiership season against Gloucester last time out but Rob Baxter’s side might well be brought back to earth when they travel to the Leicester Tigers on Saturday (15:05, TNT Sports 1).

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs prediction piece, as well as all the important team news and match odds.

Team News

Michael Cheika has made two changes to Leicester’s starting team from the XV that earned a 34-34 draw at Harlequins last time out.

Harry Wells replaces George Martin in the second row, while Josh Bassett earns a spot on the right wing.

That means it’s an unchanged front row of Nicky Smith, skipper Julian Montoya and Joe Heyes, with Cameron Henderson and Wells in the engine room.

Handro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell form the back row, with Jack van Poortvliet and Handre Pollard in the half-backs.

It’s Solomone Kata and Dan Kelly in the centres, with Bassett, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Freddie Steward in the back three.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Exeter, it’s Scott Sio, Dan Frost and Marcus Street in the front row, with locks Dafydd Jenks and Franco Molina in behind.

A back row of Ethan Toots, Jaques Vermeulen and Greg Fisilau completes the pack, while Stu Townsend and Henry Slade start in the half-backs.

Tamati Tua and Zach Wimbush form the centre, while the Chiefs start with a back three of Tommy Wyatt, Ben Hammersley and Josh Hodge.

Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs Odds

Leicester Tigers are firm favourites at 1/6 to earn what would be their sixth Premiership win of the season, while Exeter Chiefs are 9/2, or 18.2% chance, to stun Welford Road and leave the East Midlands with the victory. A draw on Saturday is available at odds of 22/1.

Leicester Tigers -15 handicap @ 5/4

These sides have already met in the Premiership this season, with the Tigers coming out on top 17-14 at Sandy Park back in September.

That was in the fledgling stages of Chieka’s tenure at Leicester and the Tigers have settled under his leadership since.

The Tigers’ win at Sandy Park earlier this season means Leicester have now won three of their last four meetings against the Chiefs.

Exeter’s last visit to Welford Road last season saw the Chiefs beaten 40-22 and another one-sided scoreline might well be on the cards this weekend.

With Van Poortvliet and Pollard in the half-backs, Leicester have the kicking game to keep the Chiefs pinned deep into their own half.

Leicester will be looking for a response after a 54-24 drubbing at the hands of the Bristol Bears in their last home game and they should be able to get back to winning ways and cover the handicap against the Chiefs too.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights