Exeter Chiefs vs Bath
10th October 1630hrs
Rugby – England – Premiership
Pick Exeter – 10 Handicap
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October
The second of Saturday’s Premiership semi-finals, features table-toppers Exeter taking on fourth-placed finishers Bath.
Bath got their spot confirmed, courtesy of Sale forfeiting their final game of the campaign, or else things could have been very different.
So can Bath defy some underdog odds to collect a win at Sandy Park?
Table of Contents
Exeter Chiefs Preview – Exeter back to full strength and favourites
With the top spot in the Premiership wrapped up early, the Exeter Chiefs were able to turn their attention to the Heineken Cup.
They reached the final there for the first time ever and they have a big chance at collecting the Premiership title as well.
In securing top spot in the league early, it allowed Exeter to take their foot off the gas in their remaining fixtures.
That resulted in them losing three of their last four league games of the season, taking advantage of the opportunity to rest key players.
Still, the Exeter Chiefs finished three points clear at the top at the conclusion of the regular league season.
Playing hosts on Saturday at Sandy Park the Exeter Chiefs are 2/9 odds-on favourites to pick up the match win* (odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October).
This is the fifth straight season that Exeter Chiefs have been to the Premiership semi-finals. The previous four were all congested at Sandy Park as well.
Exeter won all of those, so there is strong enough reckoning to back them to collect the match win.
In the handicap market for this semi final clash an Exeter Chiefs -10 handicap is at 10/11* (odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October).
That is how comfortable they are expected to be.
When they played host to Bath back in March during the regular season, Exeter romped to a 57-20 success.
Bath Preview – Bath scrap their way to the finish
Because Sale had their final match postponed, which then couldn’t be rearranged in midweek, they were handed a loss.
That was a costly one as well, because it denied them their shot at points they needed to secure a top four finish.
That was good news for Bath in the end.
Bath played out a draw with Saracens in their final game of the campaign, leaving them in fourth place in the table.
So it is they who have found their way through to what is their fifth appearance at the semi-final stage.
This is their first place in the final four for five years though. On that last appearance, they beat Leicester comfortably.
Since losing to Wasps at the end of August, Bath have put together some great form, going five unbeaten (W4 D1).
Even more remarkably, they have produced some wonderful away form, not having lost on the road in the Premiership since March.
That last away defeat though, came at Sandy Park against Exeter.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Bath have managed to take only the one win in their last ten games against Exeter and that win happened at the Rec earlier this season.
It has been just one victory from their previous visits to Sandy Park as well and that happened back in October 2016.
They are at 10/3 to claim a win there on Saturday in rugby betting* (odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October).
Of the four teams left standing in the Premiership campaign this season, Bath were the lowest scorers of them.
Their try count of 59 was the lowest of the top-seven finishers in the Premiership table as well.
So seeing them take on the powerful, well-rested Exeter, with that in mind, it’s genuine underdog status for the West Country club.
Exeter Chiefs vs Bath Betting Advice
It has to be Exeter all the way. They have had plenty of time to prepare themselves for this and they have been able to keep their key players fresh.
Bath haven’t had that luxury because they had to fight and scrap all the way through to the final round of action.
So we think that it will all just stack up against the visiting Bath at the end of the day, so a Chiefs -10 handicap isn’t a bad option at 10/11* (odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October).
Key Facts – Exeter Chiefs vs Bath Betting Tip
- Exeter Chiefs have won at home in each of the last four seasons in the semi finals
- Exeter Chiefs have dropped just one of their last ten matches against Bath
- Bath are unbeaten on the road in the Premiership since losing to Exeter in March
When they are on song at Sandy Park, Exeter keep the ball so well from their opponents and have the clinical power all over the pitch to see off their opponents.
They have a powerful head to head record going against Bath, have won their last four home fixtures in the semifinals and it’s all just aligning for them.
A Chief’s 1-12 winning margin is a reasonable punt at 7/5* (odds taken 23:30 GMT Friday, 9th October).
The best betting odds for Exeter Chiefs vs Bath
Exeter Chiefs to win: 2/9 at Bet365
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Bath to win: 10/3 at Bet365
