Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs Prediction: A long night in store for Falcons

The Newcastle Falcons are forgetting what it feels like to win in the Premiership and their wait for a victory in the competition looks set to go beyond Friday night’s clash with the Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park. (TNT Sports Extra, 19:45 kick-off).

Newcastle’s losing run in the Premiership was extended to 25 games last week following their 43-10 thrashing at the hands of the Sale Sharks at the Salford Community Stadium. The Falcons are clearly struggling to compete in the top flight, and things don’t get easier as they prepare to host a Chiefs side desperate for a win themselves.

After losing 40-35 at Sandy Park against the Bristol Bears last time out, Exeter are the only other team along with Newcastle, looking for their first Premiership win of the season.

A trip to Tyneside should see Rob Baxter’s Chiefs get off the mark, after some narrow-margin defeats for much of the campaign.

Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs Odds

Newcastle Falcons are 4/1 to win at Kingston Park, with the Exeter Chiefs at 2/11 to make the long trip south with the victory.

The draw on Friday night is available at 25/1.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News 

Starting with Newcastle, Sammy Arnold, Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Brett Connon, Sebastian de Chaves, Connor Doherty, Alex Hearle, Kiran McDonald, Cameron Neild, Ben Redshaw and Kieran Wilkinson were all unavailable for their last game against Sale.

Adam Radwan returned from a head knock to feature against the Sharks and the winger came through unscathed, so is available to start on Friday.

As for the Chiefs, Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will be looking to impress once again after their call-ups to the England squad this week.

Meanwhile, former Australia prop Scott Sio returned to action last week against the Bears and looks set for another start against the Falcons.

Exeter Chiefs -11.5 on handicap @ 10/11

With Newcastle conceding 137 points in their first four games, defence continues to be an area of major concern for the Falcons this season.

Conceding an average of 34.25 points per game makes it incredibly hard to win in the Premiership and even more alarming has been the Newcastle attack.

Having scored just 37 points in their first four games, it’s easy to see why the north-east outfit are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table without even a bonus point to their name.

Exeter have also lost all of their games so far but the fact they have earned four bonus points shows they have been competitive this season.

The Chiefs could, and probably should, have a couple of wins under their belts already but Friday provides the perfect opportunity to get off the mark.

With Newcastle struggling with and without the ball, expect Baxter’s Chiefs to not only claim the win at Kingston Park but also overcome the -12 handicap on offer.