2020-21 Premiership Rugby – Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears taking place? Saturday 9th January, 2021 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears taking place? Sandy Park, Exeter
Where can I get tickets for Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears? Check official club websites for information about purchasing tickets
What television channel is Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE TEAM NEWS
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Ian Whitten, 10 Joe Simmonds (c), 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Don Armand, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Will Witty, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 James Kenny, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Tom Price, 20 Sam Skinner, 21 Sam Maunder, 22 Corey Baldwin, 23 James Short
Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Piers O’Conor, 11 Siva Naulago, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Bryan Byrne, 1 Jake Woolmore
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 John Afoa, 19 James Dun, 20 Dan Thomas, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Alapati Leiua
THE PREDICTION
Exeter Chiefs were handed a warning sign on their visit to Wasps as they were dismantled 34-5 and they now face the prospect of hosting an in-form Bristol Bears outfit who will certainly smell blood. Furthermore, the reigning champions have suffered a few positive covid-19 tests this week but look set to face the Bears with whomever of their squad they can gather together. Whilst you should wait for confirmation of the match before selecting this fixture in the markets, an away win for Bristol would still be an upset here especially as Exeter head coach Rob Baxter will be expecting a bounce-back performance from his team. All but one of Bristol’s matches this season have gone over 40 points and so Exeter to win a scoreline that goes north of that mark would be a reasonable pick here. However, a Bristol win with a head-start of +5 could be a shrewd alternative.
