Exetervs.Cambridge

The Grecians have won two of their last three games to move up the table, but winless Cambridge are still rooted to the foot of the standings.

Match preview

Having taken seven points from a possible nine either side of an EFL Trophy win against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s, Exeter City occupy 10th place after eight League One matches and will be looking to continue that form this weekend.

A first-half strike from Amani Richards was enough to see off the challenge of Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening, sealing Exeter's second away win of the season.

Gary Caldwell led the Grecians to a 13th-place finish last season, but a push for the playoffs could well be in their sights this term.

The Devon club may need to improve an inconsistent set of results at St James Park, though, having alternated between winning and losing across their last five home fixtures in League One, including the back end of last season.

Just one of Exeter's last 16 EFL meetings with Cambridge United has finished as a draw - albeit that came in the most recent encounter, in January - and they will expect to wrap up another win against their ailing visitors.

Cambridge United are winless across their last six away games against Exeter, not only losing on five occasions but also failing to score a single goal.

In addition to such grim precedent, the U's have made a miserable start to the current campaign, and their winless run continued on Tuesday, when they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat against Rotherham United.

So far this season, Garry Monk's men have lost seven times and drawn just once in England's third tier, extending their wait for a League One success to some 14 matches.

Indeed, they remain one of just two sides yet to taste victory, alongside Burton Albion, having scored only six goals so far.

Cambridge have picked up no points on the road ahead of their trip south to Exeter, and Monk will be hoping rather than expecting that situation to change on Saturday.

Exeter City League One form:

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W

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Exeter City form (all competitions):

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Cambridge United League One form:

D

L

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Cambridge United form (all competitions):

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Team News

While Gary Caldwell will be without Caleb Watts, who is suspended following a late red card against Leyton Orient, the Exeter City manager has reported no new injury concerns for this weekend.

Yanic Wildschut is a long-term absentee, while midfielder Reece Cole is still sidelined by a thigh problem, but Jack Aitchison could be available for selection after overcoming a leg injury.

Once again, Josh Magennis and Amani Richards are set to be paired in attack for the hosts, supplied from out wide by Finnish winger Ilmari Niskanen.

Meanwhile, Cambridge striker Shayne Lavery is still out of action due to a hamstring injury, and the Northern Ireland international is not expected to return until the end of this month.

In his absence, Dan Nlundulu and Brandon Njoku are likely to be retained up front, despite both struggling for goals this season; Elias Kachunga is another option for Garry Monk to consider.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Whitworth; Sweeney, Crama, Yfeko; McMillan, Francis, Woods, Aitchison, Niskanen; Richards, Magennis

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Reyes; Okedina, Morrison, Andrew; Gibbons, Digby, Smith, Brophy, Longelo; Njoku, Nlundulu

We say: Exeter City 2-0 Cambridge United

Neither side scores many goals, but Exeter are full of confidence at the moment - and that is in short supply as far as Cambridge are concerned.

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