Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership rugby union predictions: Chiefs in charge on trip to Bath

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Saturday's Gallagher Premiership rugby union predictions: Chiefs in charge on trip to Bath

Where to watch

Bath vs Exeter Chiefs
3.05pm Saturday, live on TNT Sports 1

Northampton Saints vs Harlequins
5.30pm Saturday, live on TNT Sports 1

There’s a heavyweight double-header of Premiership rugby on Saturday afternoon, featuring the clubs who occupied the top three spots in the table going into round nine.

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Best bets

Exeter +13
2pts 5-6 Hills

Northampton -19
1pt 10-11 general

Gallagher Premiership predictions

Bath lost top spot in the Premiership standings when they suffered a heavy defeat at home to Northampton in round eight, and they face another tough test against visitors Exeter.

Last week at the Rec, Bath were 17-point favourites against a Saints side missing some key internationals but finished up on the end of a 20-point defeat.

The hosts have made seven changes to their line-up from that loss, including a debut for Italian international Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi at lock, although it’s still an all-star backline including speedster Henry Arundell on the wing and Finn Russell at fly-half.

It’s a measure of Exeter’s confidence that they field the same line-up who beat Leicester last week and after a few seasons in the wilderness the Chiefs are laying down a marker as real playoff contenders.

Exeter have lost just one match this season – by four points at Bristol – and they have the distinction of having been handicap winners in all eight matches. They have won their last two away matches as underdogs – at Saracens and Sale – and a 13-point start for the Chiefs looks big.

After that West Country showdown at the Rec the action moves to Franklin’s Gardens, where Northampton will be basking in the glory of last week’s statement win at Bath.

The Saints have been handed a handicap of up to 20 points against visitors Harlequins but the league’s highest-scoring side can land another big win.

Northampton’s last four wins have come by a double-figure margin, the last two by more than 20, and their line-up includes England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith who should be raring to go after being rested last week.

Quins looked as if they had atoned for a slow start when they beat Saracens at home in round three, but their only win since then came at home to bottom side Newcastle and they have suffered some heavy defeats on the road, including last week at Sale, where they went down 43-17.

There’s a Premiership debut for 19-year-old Quins scrum-half Lucas Friday and a trip to the table-topping Saints is as tough as it gets.

Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.