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

Exeter City will host Bristol Rovers at St James Park on Wednesday night in the final game of Group M in the EFL Trophy.

Both teams are level on three points so far and a victory would guarantee progress to the knockout stage of the competition for either club.

Match preview

© Reuters

Exeter City currently sit in third place in Group M of the EFL Trophy, having three points from the first two fixtures, which puts them level with both Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers.

The club were able to draw against Chelsea's Under-23s team, with the game going to penalties, which they ended up losing, while their fixture with Cheltenham was also decided by the same fate, but this time the Grecians came out on top.

Matt Taylor's team have been able to score in both matches so far, and they certainly have plenty of confidence after only losing once all season in normal time.

Exeter also come into this game on the back of another cup fixture as they drew with Bradford City in the FA Cup on Saturday, forcing a replay later down the line.

Taylor's squad had to battle from behind to earn the 1-1 result with a late goal from Sam Nombe in the 87th minute salvaging the game at the end.

© Reuters

Bristol Rovers were unable to secure their place in the next round of the FA Cup on Sunday as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Oxford United.

However, it was a positive result for the team because they fought back from behind twice to force a replay, with goals from Sam Finley and Antony Evans.

Joey Barton's team currently sit above Exeter in their EFL Trophy group, but only goal difference separates the two teams, although they have won a game in the competition this season.

Bristol managed to defeat Cheltenham Town 2-0 in the opening match, but they were then beaten by the young Blues 2-1 in their next encounter.

However, they have not been anywhere near as dominant as their opponents in League Two, as they currently sit in 16th place while Exeter are fourth.

The two teams have met already this season, and it was the Grecians who came out on top with a 4-1 win, with all four goals coming in the opening 25 minutes of the game, blowing Bristol away in a result they shall be hoping not to repeat.

Team News

© Reuters

Jack Sparkes could be given some more minutes in the EFL Trophy fixture after the defender was able to make his return from injury late on in the draw against Bradford City.

There were several changes made to the team for the game on Saturday and that is likely going to be the case again here to keep the squad fresh.

Barton switched up his formation on Sunday as Bristol competed in the FA Cup, opting to play three at the back, which is something that he could look to stick with again in midweek.

Both Brett Pitman (groin) and Luke Thomas (knock) missed the draw with Oxford at the weekend and there will be question marks over their fitness once again, which is stretching Bristol's attacking options.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Dawson; Hartridge, Sparkes, Sweeney; Daniel, Collins, Atangana, Caprice, Jay; Nombe, Brown

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Harries, Taylor, Kilgour; Anderson, Finley, Whelan, Coutts, Grant; Nicholson, Evans

We say: Exeter City 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers have only managed one victory in their previous six games and do not head into this one with as much confidence or belief because of that.

Therefore, Exeter City should be able to push through and overtake them within the group to qualify for the next stage of the competition