Saturday's Gallagher Premiership predictions & rugby betting tips: Expect a power play at Sandy Park

Where to watch 

Exeter v Leicester
 TNT Sports 1, 3.05pm Saturday

Gloucester v Saracens
 TNT Sports 1, 5.30pm Saturday

Match prediction & best bet

Under 52.5 points in Gloucester v Saracens
1pt 5-6 Paddy Power

Match predictions

The start of a new Premiership season usually means having to assess how a host of new signings will bed in, and while player turnover has been much lower than in Premiership summers of the past, Saturday's showdown at Kingsholm features new faces in key positions.

Hosts Gloucester have an all-new half-back pairing of Wales internationals Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, both seasoned players. Saracens are their visitors and they hand a debut to fly-half Fergus Burke, who has replaced departed England international Owen Farrell.

Burke arrives for Super Rugby side the Crusaders and has been hailed as a future All Black, and while his performance is sure to be worth watching – the 25-year-old is eligible to represent England and Scotland too – there are too many unknowns and bookmakers aren't giving much away making Sarries seven-point favourites.

But it may take time for the new playmaking combinations to click and the points line looks a little high at 52.5 with Paddy Power.

In Saturday's earlier kick-off Exeter are four-point favourites against Leicester, who play their first game under new head coach Michael Cheika.

Both teams are looking to rebuild after missing out on the playoffs last term and this looks set to be a close-fought battle in which the power of both packs should come to the fore.

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