Bath v Exeter Chiefs Prediction, Tips and Bet Builder

Rob Baxter has steered Exeter back into the Gallagher Prem play-offs after a five-year absence and the Chiefs look ready to give a good account of themselves against Bath at The Rec.

The defending Gallagher Prem champions were on the end of a 35-12 loss when these sides collided at Sandy Park last month and have lost three of the previous four meetings, albeit two of those were Prem Cup games.

With Finn Russell's continued absence and Henry Slade in superb fettle for Exeter, this should be a close contest, with Northampton Saints awaiting the winner in the final.

Bath v Exeter Chiefs Tips Summary

Best Bet - Exeter Chiefs +9.5 pts @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - Total points 3-Way (Range) 42-62 @ 1/1
Bet Builder - Henry Slade to score a try & Max Ojomoh to score a try @ 14/1

Bath v Exeter Chiefs Prediction

Best Bet: Exeter Chiefs +9.5 pts @ 8/11

Exeter went into last weekend's Sandy Park showdown with Saracens knowing it was winner takes all for the final play-off spot.

They led 8-5 at half-time and Saracens would have felt quite comfortable in how the game was playing out.

Mark McCall's final game as Sarries boss petered out, however, as the Chiefs dominated the second half 24-7 on the scoreboard for a comprehensive win.

The Chiefs were 35-12 winners when they met Bath last month in Devon and the Blue, Black and Whites have limped from there to here.

They were easy winners against Newcastle before losing to Bristol and survived a late missed conversion in last weekend's two-point win over Leicester at The Rec.

Johann van Graan's side have an elite mentality but the news that Finn Russell misses out on the entire matchday squad again as the Scotland international continues to suffer from a calf injury was a significant blow.

Exeter showed last month they can cause Bath problems and while the 11/4 underdogs aren't certain to get this over the line, they can stay close to the end.

Alternative Bet: Total Points 3-Way (Range) 42-62 @ 1/1

Excluding Prem Cup meetings, the last three tussles between these clubs have resulted in total points tallies of 47, 59 and 50.

Bath's win over Leicester last weekend came in at 46, with Exeter's success against Sarries totalling 44.

Three of Exeter's last four games have fallen in the 42-62 points band, the exception being the 41-24 reverse at Harlequins last month – a contest in which the hosts tagged on 14 points in the last five minutes.

Bath routed Newcastle 69-12 at The Rec last month but, otherwise, two of their past three have landed in the 42-62 zone, with the 21-19 loss at Bristol falling a mere two points short.

Bath v Exeter Chiefs Bet Builder Tip

• Henry Slade to score a try
• Max Ojomoh to score a try
  
  Pays 14/1

Henry Slade has earned rave reviews after his performance against Saracens. The 33-year-old scored a try, kicked 12 points and put in a try-saving tackle in a superb all-round display.

So good was Slade, Exeter boss Baxter says his current form makes him one of the best centres in the world.

He is the leading points-scorer in the Gallagher Prem this season and, on current form, it will be no shock if the league's 10th-highest try-scorer this season crosses over for a ninth of the campaign.

This clash at The Rec marks a 100th run-out for Max Ojomoh and he once more slots in alongside Ollie Lawrence in Bath's midfield.

In a surprise to many Ojomoh has not played for England since being named Man of the Match against Argentina in November, but he remains a key cog in the Bath wheel.

The centurion can mark the occasion with a third try of the season for the Blue, Black and Whites.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Key Match Stats

• Bath are seeking to reach a third consecutive Prem final under Johann van Graan
• Exeter are back in the play-offs a year after finishing a club-worst ninth in the Prem
• The Chiefs were 35-12 winners over Bath at Sandy Park just five weeks ago
• This is Exeter's first play-off appearance since 2021 and a first-ever away Prem play-off game for the club
• Exeter scored four tries in last weekend's 32-12 win over Saracens
• Bath survived a missed conversion late on in a 24-22 win over Leicester Tigers

View details of how to watch Bath v Exeter Chiefs on site.

View details of Bath v Exeter Chiefs team news on site.

Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.