Saturday Premiership predictions and rugby union tips: Exeter can grind it out

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's Gallagher Premiership games.

Sale v Wasps

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 2pm Saturday

Best bet

Wasps +11
3pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Wasps are still dealing with a huge injury list but that hasn't stopped them scoring points and they picked up a third successive try-bonus point in their win over London Irish on Boxing Day.

That was just their fourth victory of the season but of their six defeats, just one has been by more than ten points and given their scoring prowess, they can make the best of a double-figure handicap start at Sale.

Fly-half Jacob Umaga is suspended for Wasps so veteran Jimmy Gopperth starts at number ten while scrum-half Francois Hougaard lines up on the wing.

Sale are missing a few international names but have captain Jono Ross back from a month out injured. However, the Sharks have played just once in the last month after their last two games were postponed and may need to get into their stride.

Sale are not the most freescoring side - their tally of 195 points is the third-lowest in the Premiership. Wasps have racked up 102 in their last three games and can do enough to at least stay within a generous handicap.

Exeter v Bristol

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 4.30pm

Best bet

Exeter to win by one to 12 points
1pt 6-4 bet365

Match preview

Last season's table-toppers Bristol have just three wins to their name from their opening ten matches and they are sure to be smarting after last week's last-gasp defeat to Leicester.

Having led 23-13 in the second half, the Bears were stunned by a last-minute try from the 14-man Tigers, and a trip to Exeter doesn't promise to be any easier.

The Chiefs are also struggling to match their performance in past seasons and are outside the playoff places, and although they have won three of their last four Premiership games, points are not flowing as freely as in past seasons.

Exeter have posted fewer than 30 points in each of their last six games and scored two tries in each of their last four.

The Chiefs are hard to break down at home but five of their six victories this season have been by a margin of one to 12 points and that looks the best bet in this encounter.

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