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

The visitors, meanwhile, have taken four points from their last three league outings, and currently sit in 15th place in League One, two points behind the hosts.

Match preview

Exeter have now played several games with Kevin Nicholson and Jon Hill in temporary charge, with the fixture against Charlton Athletic being their first at the helm, and also their first defeat.

Their second game in the dugout saw Exeter host Oxford United, but that match ended in similar fashion to the defeat at the Valley as another four goals were conceded and the home side were hit with more defensive problems.

The one positive from the defeat against Oxford was that the highly-rated 17-year-old forward Sonny Cox scored his first senior goal after coming on as a substitute.

An EFL Trophy clash in midweek has not helped proceedings, with Forest Green Rovers sticking another four goals past the Grecians, meaning Exeter have conceded four goals in each of their last three matches.

Their challenge this weekend is to topple a Fleetwood side that have conceded six goals away from home in as many games.

Since losing to Port Vale on the opening day of the season, Fleetwood have lost only twice in 12 league outings, although they have won just three games in that period.

However, Scott Brown led his side to a penalty shootout victory over Manchester United's Under-21s in midweek, on a bittersweet night that saw the League One side bow out of the EFL Trophy after finishing third in Group G.

Charlie McNeill's penalty in the 21st minute put the Red Devils ahead before a quickfire double from Carlos Mendes and Joe Garner in the second half looked to have given Fleetwood the victory.

Shola Shoretire's 92nd-minute equaliser for the visitors sent the game to penalties, where Jakub Stolarczyk saved two spot kicks to give the Cods an advantage, with Cian Hayes scoring the winning penalty soon after.

However, draws have been the story of Fleetwood's league season so far, sharing the spoils in seven of their 13 league matches - the highest tally in the division.

Following back-to-back home matches, Scott Brown's side will hit the road and travel to a ground where they have not won in their two previous outings.

Exeter City League One form:

L

W

D

W

L

L

Exeter City form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

L

Fleetwood Town League One form:

W

D

L

W

D

L

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

D

L

W

D

L

W

Team News

Josh Key pulled out before kick-off against Oxford United with illness, while Pierce Sweeney was forced off after 36 minutes as he too was unwell, leaving youngsters Harry Kite and Ed James in defence.

However, Sweeney returned to action in the midweek defeat to Forest Green Rovers, so it is likely he will retain his place here.

As for Fleetwood, they are still expected to be without the services of Michael Devlin and Darnell Johnson due to injury issues.

Toto Nsiala is also a doubt after being forced off against Portsmouth, having not featured in the starting XI since.

After scoring two in his last three games, Carlos Mendes will look to retain his place on the left flank, while Brown could rotate the rest of his side after a midweek cup tie.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Hartridge, Sweeney, Key; Sparkes, Collins, Kite, Caprice, Brown; Nombe, Stansfield

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Rooney, Baker, Earl, Andrew; Vela, Warrington; Macadam, Lane, Mendes; Muskwe

We say: Exeter City 0-2 Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood have only scored 11 times this season, which is the second-fewest in the division.

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