Exeter v Saracens predictions and rugby union tips: Chiefs to grind out victory

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Exeter Chiefs v Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Exeter to win by one to 12 points
1pt 15-8 Betfair, Betfred

Match preview

Saracens visit Exeter for the first time in two years and of all the fixtures they would have been looking forward to on their Premiership return, this will have been top of the list.

These teams met in three Premiership finals in four years from 2016 to 2019, before Sarries' point deduction and relegation ended their head-to-head title tussle.

Saracens, who won all three of those finals, are showing greater purpose this season, riding high in second with just one defeat in eight, a last-gasp loss at leaders Leicester.

Nonetheless, despite their occasional wobbles at the start of this campaign, Exeter can plunder the points in this showdown.

Bookmakers can barely split the two and while it's unusual for Exeter to be close to even-money at home, they have won just one of four league matches on their own turf.

The forward exchanges will be critical on this occasion but while the packs look well matched, Exeter may have an edge on the bench.

The Chiefs' backline is also in good shape with Joe Simmonds returning at fly-half, while Sarries continue with Alex Goode at ten in the absence of Owen Farrell.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter pointed to his team's grit and determination in a 23-16 success at Bath last week and they will need plenty of that to get past Sarries.

However, the visitors struggled to pull away against Sale last week, when they led 13-0 against 14 men and ended up posting a 25-14 success, while before that they threw away a 34-8 lead to draw 34-34 with London Irish.

Four of Exeter's five wins have been by ten points or fewer, and they can claim another narrow success.

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