Exetervs.Stevenage

The visitors are currently eighth in the table, three points behind sixth-placed Lincoln City, while Exeter occupy 15th position, boasting 51 points from their 41 league games this term.

Match preview

Exeter finished 14th in League One last season following their promotion from League Two, and it does appear that the club will be securing three straight campaigns at this level of football.

Indeed, a record of 14 wins, nine draws and 18 defeats from 41 matches has seen Gary Caldwell's side collect 51 points, which has left them in 15th position in the table.

The Grecians are 11 points clear of the relegation zone, so they will not be pulled into any trouble in the final stages of the campaign unless something drastic happens, and their recent form has been impressive.

Indeed, Exeter will bring a five-game unbeaten run into this contest, three of which have been victories, overcoming Shrewsbury Town, Burton Albion and Cheltenham Town over the last few weeks.

The home side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 success over Cheltenham, and they held Stevenage to a 1-1 draw when the two teams locked horns in the reverse game back in December.

Stevenage, meanwhile, are bidding to secure back-to-back promotions, having finished second in League Two last term to book their spot in League One for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Boro boast 64 points from their 41 league matches this season, which has left them in eighth position in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Lincoln in the race for the playoffs.

Steve Evans's side have hit a bad patch at a vital stage of the season, though, with the team failing to win in the league since the end of February, drawing five and losing two of their last seven matches.

Stevenage suffered back-to-back losses against Peterborough United and Leyton Orient in the middle of March before drawing their last three with Carlisle United, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic.

Evans's team have the sixth-best away record in League One this season, picking up 32 points from 21 matches, and they will be heading to an Exeter outfit that have picked up just 26 points from their 21 home fixtures.

Exeter City League One form:

L

D

W

W

D

W

Stevenage League One form:

D

L

L

D

D

D

Team News

Exeter were without the services of Ben Purrington for Monday's clash with Cheltenham due to the concussion protocol, but he should be back in the squad for this contest.

Alex Hartridge entered the side for his first appearance since January as Purrington's replacement, but it seems likely that the latter will return to the XI on Saturday.

The rest of the side could remain unchanged, with Mohamed Eisa featuring down the middle, while there will be a spot in a wide position for Jack Aitchison, who has scored four league goals this term.

As for Stevenage, Carl Piergianni was back in the side against Charlton on Monday after a suspension, and the captain will again be in the XI on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Evans, who will be back on the touchline following a ban, could name an unchanged side for this weekend's contest.

Jamie Reid has been in excellent form this season, finding the back of the net on 17 occasions in League One, but he has failed to register in the third tier of English football since February 10, drawing a blank in his last nine outings at this level of football.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Sinisalo; Sweeney, Aimson, Purrington; Niskanen, Carroll, Woods, Wildschut; Aitchison, Eisa, Harris

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Vancooten, Piergianni, Butler; MacDonald, Burns, Guinness-Walker; Thompson; Reid, Roberts

We say: Exeter City 1-1 Stevenage

Exeter will be feeling good about themselves at the moment due to their strong form, and they will be hosting a Stevenage side that are currently struggling to put wins on the board. This match could go either way, but we are expecting the points to be shared in a low-scoring draw on Saturday.

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