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Racing 92 vs Exeter Predictions - Racing 92 set to return to winning ways

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Racing 92 thrives at home with a 5-win streak.
Exeter lack consistency away from home.
Racing 92 favoured to cover the handicap.

Racing 92 are on a winning streak at home (Getty Images)

Racing 92 were thrashed in their European Challenge Cup opener, but are on a winning streak at home. Exeter started their campaign with a solid win, but they lack consistency away from home.

Racing 92 have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Racing 92 have won 5 consecutive home matches (Top 14).
Exeter have won 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
Exeter have won 2 of their last 5 away games in all competitions.

Head to Head

Exeter have a slight edge with one victory to none against Racing 92.

Racing 92 Form

Racing 92 scored a converted try in the first half against Ulster in their opening EPCR Challenge Cup match last weekend, but trailed 14-7 at the break.

However, Racing 92 were thrashed in the second half, conceding 47 unanswered points to lose 61-7 away to Ulster.

Racing 92 have been playing well at home lately. They defeated Bordeaux 44-32, Clermont 43-31, Montpellier 32-25, Pau 15-10, and Bayonne 47-27 in their last five home fixtures.

Racing 92 are 11th in the Top 14 standings with 26 points from 11 matches.

Racing 92 will look to put their poor performance behind them when they host Exeter, as they have been in excellent form at home domestically this season, winning five in a row.

Exeter Form

Exeter produced a superb first-half display against the Cheetahs in the European Challenge Cup opener last weekend, scoring five converted tries to lead 35-7 at half-time.

Exeter added a converted try in the second half to seal an easy 42-12 home win over the Cheetahs.

Exeter lost 28-15 to the Leicester Tigers, 52-24 to Ulster, and beat Hartpury 36-14 before losing 52-38 to Bristol and 79-17 to Gloucester in their last five away matches.

Exeter are currently in second place in the Premiership table with 23 points from six games.

The Exeter Chiefs have been in solid form lately, winning four of their last five fixtures. However, they are prone to producing inconsistent performances away from home, which could be their undoing when they take on Racing 92.

Team News

Racing 92

Forwards coach Olivier Azam is determined to showcase the grit and competitive edge of his players after their disappointing results: "After these two losses (Toulouse and Ulster), we need to show our teeth …We're still smiling, but we're upset, and we want to react."

Hooker Janick Tarrit will miss five games after his blatant headbutt on Toulouse’s Efraín Elías in the Top 14 encounter in late November.

Exeter

Exeter’s director of rugby, Rob Baxter, says his priority is keeping as much of his existing squad together for the upcoming seasons: "As far as the team being here, the squad being settled for next season, we're a little way off that yet, but I am keen to keep an amount of continuity.

"But I'm also keen to add to the squad because I think what you've seen this season is you've seen the Exeter players who've been here for more than one or two seasons doing very well and playing very well, but part of that is that you've also seen the players who've brought in to go exceptionally well.

"Without doubt, Steven Varney, Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau, Joseph Dweba, without doubt those guys have added to the quality of the squad and added to the frontline group."