Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last three league encounters as they look to consolidate their place in the top half of the League One table.

Match preview

Cheltenham lost their final three matches in February by a combined 10-0 scoreline, but they have started March in much better form.

After claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town on March 4, the Robins played out a goalless draw with Lincoln City on March 7 to record a second straight clean sheet.

Last weekend, a stunning brace from Alfie May helped Wade Elliott's side ease their relegation fears with a 3-0 triumph at Peterborough United.

May's astonishing first goal was a volley from the halfway line to make it 2-0 after 21 minutes and he smashed in another from the edge of the box to round off the scoring 16 minutes from the end.

Cheltenham took the lead in the 15th minute when Will Ferry's corner was volleyed in by defender Tom Bradbury for his first EFL goal.

The Robins have taken 22 points from 17 matches so far this campaign, but a victory here could potentially create a 10-point gap between themselves and 21st-placed Morecambe, should results go their way.

As for the visitors, a goal in each half from top scorer Sam Nombe earned Exeter a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lincoln at St James Park.

It was just the fourth time in the past 18 games Exeter scored more than once in a match, with that victory lifting them above the Imps to 11th place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell's side are now three games unbeaten in League One, and Saturday's win means the Grecians have picked up 46 points from 35 games.

Exeter have already tasted success at Whaddon Road this season, beating Cheltenham 7-0 in the first round of the EFL Cup back in August, breaking the club's record for an away win.

However, the Grecians have not travelled well of late, amassing only a single point from their past three away games, and they have only managed to record five victories from a possible 18 away matches all season.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

L

L

L

W

D

W

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

D

W

Exeter City League One form:

L

D

L

W

D

W

Team News

Cheltenham are still expected to be without the services of Elkan Baggott and Will Goodwin, although the pair are closing in on a return to action.

Charlie Raglan missed last weekend's victory against Peterborough with a broken toe, and he will remain unavailable for Saturday's contest.

As for Exeter, midfielders Harry Kite and Kevin McDonald missed out on the action at St James Park last weekend, while goalkeeper Gary Woods was forced off injured at the break against Lincoln, but Gary Caldwell remains hopeful all three will be involved this Saturday.

Alex Hartridge will be suspended for this weekend's clash after his dismissal against the Imps.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Long, Taylor, Bradbury; Jackson, Sercombe, Bonds, Ferry; Broom; Keena, May

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Woods; Sweeney, Aimson, Diabate; Key, Harper, McDonald, Mitchell; White; Stansfield, Nombe

We say: Cheltenham Town 2-1 Exeter City

Both sides are unbeaten in their last three league outings, so we can see this one being a closely-fought contest.

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