Adam Williams presents his prediction for the English Premiership rugby match.
Neighbours from last season, Exeter Chiefs (7th) and Leicester Tigers (8th), will face each other at Sandy Park on Saturday. There was a time when both teams only aimed for the championship final.
Exeter Chiefs
After six years of dominance in the Premiership (from 2015 to 2021), during which they won two titles (2017, 2020) and reached the final four times, Exeter Chiefs have settled into the lower half of the table for the last three seasons, consistently finishing in seventh place. Rob Baxter has remained the key figure in the team since 2009 (even before their first promotion to the Premiership). The club saw the departure of 14 players, none of whom are considered major losses. The only notable signing is 26-year-old New Zealander Tamati Tua from ACT Brumbies, who will strengthen the backline. Stability should aid team cohesion.
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers are entering a new era in the club's history. Michael Cheika, the former coach of Australia and Argentina, has joined on a one-year contract, which can be extended based on success. This prominent coaching appointment reflects the club's desire to return to winning ways. Leicester Tigers lead in terms of titles, with 11 overall (9 since the formation of the Premiership), but their last triumph at Twickenham was in 2022. Last season, they finished in eighth place after a third-place finish the previous year, necessitating changes. There have also been changes in the squad. Loosehead prop Francois van Wyk moved to Bath Rugby, and another South African, Jasper Wiese, went to Japan. Notable new signings include Nicky Smith from Ospreys and Izaia Perese from Waratahs.
Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers Prediction
The clubs recently faced off in May, with Leicester Tigers winning the final round match of that season (40:22). However, in the away fixture, Leicester Tigers were defeated by a similar margin, losing 29:10. Generally, Leicester Tigers perform significantly weaker away from home, with 5 losses in 12 matches, and 2 of their 5 wins were by just one point. Considering Exeter Chiefs have only lost 2 out of their 11 matches at Sandy Park, we predict a win for the home side with a handicap.
