Saturday's Premiership predictions and rugby union tips: Tigers on the hunt

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's action in the Premiership.

Where to watch

Exeter v Leicester
BT Sport 2, 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Leicester to win by one to 12 points
1pt 15-8 Betfred

Bristol -9
5.30pm Saturday
1pt 10-11Hills

Match previews

The Premiership season now opens with a heavyweight contest between champions Leicester and Exeter, who missed out on the final last season after six consecutive appearances.

The Chiefs have undergone a change in coaching structure over the summer - head coach Ali Hepher is set to take a more hands-on approach with the players as director of rugby Rob Baxter steps into the background. And while the squad is largely settled there are some key names missing from Saturday's teamsheet.

Leicester have gone reasonably strong, although Tigers fans will still have to wait to see the summer's marquee signing, World Cup-winning fly-half Handre Pollard.

Exeter won four of their final five home games last season but the exception in that run was a 22-17 defeat to Leicester, who could hit the ground running that bit faster.

The Tigers are two-point favourites but it's a tough game to call and a bet on a narrow away win could offer the best value.

West country rivals Bristol and Bath endured disappointing campaigns last season but Pat Lam's Bears side look ready to put that behind them this time, and they can start with a big home win.

Both games between the teams were tight last season - Bristol won at home by five points and lost at Bath by two - but a nine-point handicap should be within the hosts' reach this time.

Bristol have strengthened their pack with the capture of prop Ellis Genge from Leicester, who starts alongside fellow England international Kyle Sinckler, and the home pack look too strong for a Bath unit who struggled to make a mark.

There's a new face at fly-half for Bath as Piers Francis, signed from Northampton in the summer, is named in the number ten shirt. Francis started just two matches for the Saints last season and takes on a big responsibility in an unfamiliar line-up.

Bath won just five matches last season - all but one at home - and eight of their ten away defeats were by a double-figure margin.

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