Preview: Exeter City vs. Forest Green Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are now up to 11th in the table after solid recent form, while the visitors will be unable to escape the relegation zone even with a victory, currently four points from safety at the bottom of the table.

Match preview

After being promoted from League Two last season, Exeter have made a very solid start to life in the third tier, now just six points off the playoffs as a result of their impressive recent victories.

Games involving the Grecians have tended to be entertaining affairs, with a record of 38 goals in 25 games making them the joint-second highest scorers outside of the top three.

One thing that Gary Caldwell will be wanting to put right, however, is the fact that his side have not won a game at St James Park since mid November, picking up just one point in their last three games on home soil.

While they have impressed on the front foot, Exeter's attacking style means that they have had some defensive issues at times, conceding 36 goals, the joint-second highest amount of any side not currently in the relegation zone.

However, the Grecians quelled some of these fears with a fantastic defensive display in their last match, keeping a clean sheet at Oxford United in a 1-0 victory, with Sam Nombe striking the only goal of the game with just over 10 minutes to spare.

At the beginning of December, Forest Green started to display some promising signs, winning two games on the bounce to move up to 21st place, however things have started to go downhill again in recent weeks.

The Green have lost their last four matches, including vital encounters with relegation-threatened MK Dons and Burton Albion, which could prove to be real six-pointers at the end of the season.

A poor defensive record is largely to blame for the Rovers' disappointing league standing, only picking up one clean sheet in their last 13 league matches, with 49 goals conceded in total, the second-highest amount of any side.

In their last match, Ian Burchnall's side looked to be heading towards an important three points against Port Vale, leading up until the 86th minute, however they threw the game away, with Ademipo Odubeko's equaliser being followed up by two stoppage-time goals for the visitors.

One thing that could give Forest Green confidence, however, is that they were resounding winners in the match against Exeter earlier this season, winning 4-1 at the New Lawn, and Burchnall will be hoping for a similar performance on Saturday.

Exeter City League One form:

D

D

L

D

W

W

Forest Green Rovers League One form:

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Exeter striker Jevani Brown had to be withdrawn in the first half against Oxford United, with a minor quad injury flaring up again, so Jack Sparkes could be set to replace him in the starting lineup.

Apart from that, Caldwell has no real need to tinker with a winning formula, and so the Grecians are expected to be otherwise unchanged from their last match.

Sam Nombe is in fine form, scoring three goals in his last two games, and so the forward is poised to start alongside Sparkes, in a 3-4-1-2 system, with Kgaogelo Chauke proving support from attacking midfield.

Forest Green completed the signing of Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper Ross Doohan earlier in the week, however it is unclear whether he will come straight into the first-team picture, and Luke McGee could keep his place.

Connor Wickham has missed the last four games through injury, and he is not expected to return before Saturday, so Jamille Matt could be given a run out at striker instead, given that Josh March has not scored in his last five games.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Sweeney, Diabate, Hartridge; Caprice, Collins, Kite, Key, Chauke; Sparkes, Nombe

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; Godwin-Malife, Casey, Cargill; O'Keeffe, McGeouch, Hendry, McAllister; Peart-Harris, Stevenson, March

We say: Exeter City 2-0 Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green Rovers are in desperate need of a win after their recent results, but they are coming up against Exeter at completely the wrong time, with the hosts likely to be full of confidence after their recent victories.

As such, we expect the Grecians to run out comprehensive 2-0 winners, extending their winning run to three games on the spin.

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