Score predictions - Exeter home

We return to Oakwell on Saturday, aiming to set our longest winning streak in the league this season. We face an Exeter side who are just outside of the relegation places, and buoyed by a midweek win over Bristol Rovers, to maintain a 4 point gap to the drop zone. Given our 11 game unbeaten run, and 1 defeat in 17 (including a victory away at Exeter), the bookies have us as 4/7 favourites to win our 3rd straight home league game, extending that particular unbeaten run to 9 in the league. The visitors are best priced at 9/2.


Exeter seem to be suffering from second season syndrome, having spent their first season back at this level comfortably in mid-table. They have improved slightly since Christmas, having gone 13 games without a win between the end of September and Christmas Day (3 draws, 10 defeats). Since Christmas, they've managed to put a bit of a run together of 3 wins and 2 draws in 7 games, though they haven't had the same result for 2 games in a row, suggesting a level of inconsistency.


Away from home, the Grecians have struggled this season. Their win at Bristol on Tuesday was their first in 10 away matches (1 draw, 9 defeats). During that time, they've been beaten heavily at Bolton, Oxford, Fleetwood, Charlton and Reading in the Cup. They did start the season quite strongly on their travels with 3 wins from their first 4, with their only defeat being a narrow reverse at Portsmouth, courtesy of a Colby Bishop goal in the last 20 minutes.


Historically, our results at Oakwell have largely been favourable vs Exeter. The Grecians win at Oakwell last season was only their 2nd in 11 visits (5 reds wins and 4 draws). Our last home victory vs Exeter was the visit before last, a 1-0 win towards the end of the 80/81 season. It's a fixture which tends to favour the home side. In 23 meetings between us, the hosts have won on 14 occasions, with the travelling side only winning on 5 occasions.


Goals have been Exeter's big issue this season. Whilst they've scored more on their travels than at home, they've still only netted 11 in 14 games. Their combined total of 19 goals is the second lowest in the league, tied with Cheltenham who didn't score for the first 2 months of the season. The goals against column isn't particularly healthy for the Grecians either; only 4 other teams have conceded more than the 39 they have in 28 games. They have the leakiest defence away from home in the division, an average of 2 goals shipped per game. For context, their top 5 goalscorers from last season are no longer at the club (Stansfield's, Nombe, Brown, Collins, Key). Harry Kite is the highest scoring player still at Exeter from last season, he netted 3 goals last season but is yet to register in the league this season. As a comparison, we have 7 players still at the club who scored at least as many as Kite last season, and several of those have scored more already this season too (Kane and Cole spring to mind). Their front 3 in the victory over the Gas in midweek consisted of an 18 year old, a 19 year old and Jack Aitchison, who have a combined 4 goals between them so far this season.


Referee Thomas Kirk takes charge of the reds for the second time this season, having overseen our League Cup exit to Tranmere back in August. He has also overseen an Exeter defeat this season too, their 3-0 loss at Fleetwood back in November. He's averaged 4 yellow cards per game, making him one of the more lenient referees we've had recently. His only red card this season was for Gillingham's Ethan Coleman in their 3-0 home defeat to Colchester. Kasper Lopata, Jon Russell and Kyran Lofthouse were booked for the reds in the aforementioned Tranmere game.


I fancy us to win this one. An early goal is required to settle the nerves, and whilst we may have a few injury issues, I can see us still having enough to beat Exeter. Their distinct lack of firepower should enable our often leaky defence to have a slightly more comfortable afternoon than is often the case. I'm going for 3-0 with McAtee, Cole and Phillips getting the goals.

 

This game last season was one of the poorest from our point of view. It felt like we were chasing shadows the entire game.

This season I’m hoping for a much better outcome. I’ll go for a comfortable (do we ever have that?!) 2-0 win. McAtee and a set piece goal from a defender.

 

2-0 Reds.

 

3-1

 

1-0 (Cole)

 

A slender win for us

 

Not sure there'll ever be a better moment for a proper statement home win...

3-0 McAtee, Cole, Russell

 

It's worth noting that only 2 of their starting 11 that day still play for them, and they have a different manager. In fact, only 4 of our players from that game are likely to be involved on Saturday too (Benson and Cundy featured in that game but are both presently injured), so thankfully, last seasons result shouldn't have any bearing on Saturday.

 

3-1, hat trick by Russell. That will silence the critics.

 

Yeah no bearing at all. I must still be a little bit traumatised by it!

 

2-1 victory. Hopefully everyone is fit

 

Mate if he scores a hat trick not only will I be silenced but I will bear a certain body part on the town hall steps lol.

 

You'd think so but Exeter have picked up a bit recently. They had a great win at Bristol the other night.
I think it'll be another slender win, 2-1.

 

Barnsley 1 - 176 Exeter City

 

You won't be the first one. I think CCTV is now installed, so you could possibly go viral?

It was a joke, but he came up trumps the other night, when the midfield was decimated.

 

are you sure? that's almost 2 goals per minute.

 

I fully understood it was tongue in cheek as was my reply and to be fair I think he had his best game for us Tuesday night but it didn't have much to beat.

 

They were level on points with us & still top six? Given the whole midfield was wiped out, he surely deserves some credit?

 

Nap hand for Super reds
Cole 2, Jalo second half hatrick
COYR

 

1-1