Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier Preview & Tips - Visitors can challenge Chiefs at Sandy Park

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 10 Dec 2021

Ralph Staniforth 10 Dec 2021

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Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier predictions for Saturday’s European Champions Cup match
Fixture is being played at 14:00 GMT at Sandy Park
Can the Chiefs continue their domination over the visitors?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

Expired

Montpellier have won their last five matches in the Top 14 (Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier Preview & Tips

Montpellier will arrive at Sandy Park having won their last five matches. Confidence will be no issue and the Chiefs have not been at their best this season. I foresee a close encounter with the French club tipped to finish within 19 points.

Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier Preview & Tips
Head to Head
Exeter Chiefs Form
Exeter Chiefs Team News
Montpellier Form
Montpellier Team News
Exeter Chiefs vs Montpellier FAQ

Exeter Chiefs have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
Exeter Chiefs have failed to cover the -19 handicap in their last 8 matches.
Montpellier have won their last 5 matches.

Head to Head

Exeter Chiefs and Montpellier have only met on three occasions previously. The Chiefs have won the last two matches, the last of which was 41-10 in 2018.

Exeter Chiefs Form

Exeter Chiefs are currently fifth in the Rugby Premiership with six wins from their 10 matches. It has been a slow start for the perennial title challengers but their form has picked up of late.

A narrow 16-13 away win over Gloucester was followed by a 15-14 surprise defeat at home to Newcastle. During the international break, the Chiefs lost both their Premiership Cup matches, but those encounters are played with mostly youngsters.

Since the international break cleared, Exeter have beaten Bath 23-16 away and defeated Saracens 18-15 in their last match. It was a tight contest throughout between two sides who have challenged for the title in recent years.

Exeter Chiefs Team News

The 2019/20 European champions are set to field a full strength side. Jonny Gray, Jonny Hill and Luke Cowan-Dickie all returned to action against Saracens and should start this weekend.

Montpellier Form

Montpellier come into their opening European Champions Cup fixture in fine form. Confidence will be high after an impressive run which has seen them win their last five matches in the Top 14.

That run has propelled Montpellier to third on the table. It started with a nail-biting 32-21 win at Racing 92 before beating Lyon 30-8 and home and Stade Francais 31-27 on the road.

Thereafter the former champions beat Castres 25-24 at home and last weekend saw off Perpignan 30-6 in what was a very comfortable outing.

Montpellier Team News

Montpellier won’t look to fiddle with their side too much after a superb run of form. Taking that form to Sandy Park may be a challenge but the French giants have the quality to get a result.