Confident Chiefs set to stay on top with comfortable win at Northampton

Northampton v Exeter
BT Sport 1, 7.45pm Friday
Connacht v Ulster
Premier Sports 1, 7.35pm Friday

Exeter overcame a December wobble with a bonus-point win over champions Saracens on Saturday to take them to the top of the table, and they can build on that success with a comfortable victory at Northampton.

The Chiefs' unbeaten start to the Premiership season came to an end at Harlequins at the start of the month, and the following week they suffered a surprise reverse at home to Gloucester in the Champions Cup.

But the triumph over Sarries made it nine victories out of ten, and while Northampton also pulled off a big win in round ten, their 32-6 victory at struggling Worcester was only their fourth of the season.

The Saints' other victories came at home to Harlequins, who outscored them by two tries to one, at Bristol in a crazy 11-try rollercoaster, and at home to inconsistent Wasps.

Against Worcester the scores were close for the first hour before a long interception try from Saints scrum-half Cobus Reinach, and this is a far tougher test.

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter has stressed the need to continue the level of performance from last week, and this well-drilled unit look up to reproducing that form.

Connacht came heartbreakingly close to a landmark win over Leinster in Dublin last weekend, going down to a last-minute try having gone off as 14-point underdogs.

They are five-point favourites back at home to Ulster and have already celebrated a long-awaited victory in Belfast this season.

Ulster overcame Munster at home last week but it was a laboured victory from a side who have struggled to put points on board in recent games.

This looks set to be a close-fought scrap and the hosts can edge it.

Recommendations
Exeter -5
2pts 10-11 BoyleSports
Connacht to win by one to 12 points
1pt 6-4 bet365, Betfair, Betway

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