Sale have been buoyed by the return to full fitness of England prop Andrew Sheridan © Getty Images

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Matches: Sale Sharks 24 - 30 Exeter Chiefs

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Exeter Chiefs | Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks will be hoping to officially confirm the retention of their Premiership status for another season when they host Exeter Chiefs at Edgeley Park on Friday.

Nine points clear of both Newcastle and Leeds with just two rounds remaining, the Sharks are effectively safe from relegation. Still, they will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about in what is the final home game of another desperately trying campaign for the Edgeley Park faithful.

For Exeter, the season has been a tremendous success. The Premiership newcomers have never really had to worry about relegation on account of their fine home form but they have struggled on the road and will be hoping to pick up what would be only their second away win since October, a quest that will not have been helped by chief executive Tony Rowe's criticism of Sale's home.

Sale Sharks - Player to Watch: This will be Charlie Hodgson's last ever game at Edgeley Park in a Sharks jersey. Expect him to show Sale fans just what they will be missing next season.

Sale Sharks - Team News: The fit-again Andrew Sheridan reclaims his place in the front-row after recovering from a calf injury sustained on England duty, while Dwayne Peel is back at No.9 after shaking off the effects of a blow to the head suffered against Northampton a fortnight ago.

Exeter Chiefs - Player to Watch: Ignacio Mieres has been preferred to Gareth Steenson at fly-half. It will be the Argentine's first Premiership start and it will be fascinating to see if he can replicate the Man of the Match-winning display he produced in his only previous start for the Chiefs, against Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last November.

Exeter Chiefs - Team News: Chiefs boss Rob Baxter makes three changes to the side beaten at home by Saracens last weekend. Jason Shoemark misses out through illness so there is a recall for Phil Dollman in midfield, while Ignacio Mieres and Haydn Thomas form a new-look half-back line.

Key Battle: It has to be at fly-half. As already alluded to, Sale playmaker Hodgson will be determined to bow out on a high ahead of his summer switch to Saracens. His opposite number, Mieres, will not be lacking motivation in what represents his big opportunity to prove to Exeter boss Baxter that he warrants a new contract for next season. A fascinating duel awaits.

Trivia: The sides have only met once before, with Exeter triumphing 24-19 at Sandy Park earlier this season.

Stats: Only London Wasps have lost more lineouts (32) than Sale Sharks (27) this season.

Quote Unquote:

"Rob Baxter has done a great job down at Exeter. He has assembled a good side who are very competitive. We have trained hard all week and are looking to finish the season at Edgeley Park with a victory." - Sale's executive director of sport, Steve Diamond, is anticipating a tough game.

"We have maybe dipped off on some things recently, but we will get that back by pushing in the right direction. As a team and as a club we are very keen to put in two quality performances for the rest of the season." - Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher wants the Chiefs to finish strongly

Fantasy: Exeter's Brett Sturgess has been one of the highest-scoring front-rows in this season's ESPNscrum Fantasy Rugby Game. Is he in your side?

Prediction: Sale have more to play for this weekend and they should extend Exeter's losing streak to five games.