Preview: Cambridge United vs. Exeter City - prediction, team news, lineups

As the threat of relegation looms, Cambridge United are set to host Exeter City at Cledara Abbey Stadium this Saturday in League One.

The U's are alone at the bottom of the table and will be desperate to avoid falling further from safety this weekend, while the Grecians have lost four on the bounce and may be vulnerable.

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Match preview

Garry Monk's Cambridge have endured a torrid season so far, and having registered just two wins since November, are now rooted to the foot of the table.

The U's have taken only 23 points from their 30 third-tier games this campaign, and with the team seven points from safety, the boss may be under pressure despite having been publicly backed by the club's board earlier this term.

Last time out, Monk's side were thrashed 4-0 by league leaders Birmingham City, a defeat that extended their winless streak to four games.

That being said, Saturday's hosts have only lost two of their last six matches - drawing three and winning one - a substantial improvement on the five consecutive defeats they recorded between late December and early January.

This weekend, Cambridge will see a clash against a team in poor form as a golden opportunity for them to get a rare win, and victory could take them level on points with Burton Albion one place above them should results elsewhere prove favourable.

Meanwhile, Gary Caldwell's Exeter are still waiting for their first league win of 2025 and are now 18th, just five points above Shrewsbury Town in the relegation zone.

The Grecians' current eight-match winless run in League One means they have the second-worst form in the division, and given that all of the teams below them in the table have picked up more points in recent weeks, they will be looking down anxiously.

Saturday's visitors were also on the receiving end of a thrashing in their most recent league match, having followed up their 6-2 battering by Leyton Orient with a 4-1 loss on the road to Stevenage at the start of February.

With this in mind, Caldwell's side will be keenly aware that they are vulnerable at the moment, and that their hosts will eyeing this clash excitedly.

On the other hand, Exeter will be travelling to take on the third-tier's bottom club this weekend, and may feel that they have the chance to get back on track with a win at Cledara Abbey Stadium.

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Team News

Cambridge manager Monk may decide to rest Liam Bennett this weekend after the right-back scored an own goal against Birmingham last time out and was replaced at half time.

In his place, James Gibbons could start as part of a defence featuring Jubril Okedina, Michael Morrison and Kelland Watts.

As for Exeter, they will be without centre-backs Pierce Sweeney, who has not featured since mid-December, and Ed Turns, who was sent off in their FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest.

In their absence, Caldwell is likely to select a backline of Jack McMillan, Cheick Diabate, Alex Hartridge and Vincent Harper to protect Joe Whitworth between the sticks on Saturday.

Cambridge United possible starting lineup: Bishop; Gibbons, Okedina, Morrison, Watts; Digby, Stevenson, Brophy, Barton; Kachunga, Loft

Exeter City possible starting lineup: Whitworth; McMillan, Diabate, Hartridge, Harper; Woods, Francis; Niskanen, Watts, Yogane; Magennis

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We say: Cambridge United 2-1 Exeter City

Cambridge may be at the bottom of the table, but they will sense the opportunity to win this weekend given their opponents are in exceptionally poor form.

That being said, Exeter are likely to score considering the U's have not kept a clean sheet since November, though Monk's side should still take all three points on Saturday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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