Preview: Exeter City vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

Exeter City play host to Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which may move the club into the top half of the League One standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors make the long trip to St James' Park sitting one point adrift of safety after a period of poor form.

Match preview

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Since his arrival in October, Gary Caldwell has done more than enough to establish Exeter as a League One club after promotion under a different manager last season.

However, finding some consistency is next on the agenda for the Grecians having recorded just four league victories since the turn of the year.

More recently, Exeter have collected seven points from matches with Cambridge United, Wycombe Wanderers and Lincoln City, yet defeat at Cheltenham Town has ended that momentum.

Sitting 11 points above the relegation zone, there is still work to do to guarantee their third-tier status for another 12 months, particularly when they play host to a relegation-threatened team on Saturday.

Nevertheless, having lost just one home league fixture since November 20, Exeter will be confident of getting another maximum points on the board.

From Accrington's perspective, they need to shake off yet another prolonged winless streak if they are to avoid being cut adrift from 20th spot.

As it stands, John Coleman's team are within a win of moving up to 19th place, but they have accumulated just one point from their most recent five matches.

While the likes of Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle have featured during that run, Coleman will not use it as an excuse, aware that his players are not doing enough in front of goal.

The only time that Accrington have scored two or more goals in their last 13 encounters was at home to bottom-placed Forest Green Rovers, when they played against 10 men for more than half the match.

Team News

Alex Hartridge will return to the Exeter squad after serving a one-match ban for his dismissal versus Lincoln earlier this month.

The defender could take the spot of Jonathan Grounds on the left-hand side of the back three, while Rekeem Harper could be recalled in midfield.

Accrington have their own selection issues with their defensive trio with Mohammed Sangare suspended for collecting two yellow cards against Plymouth.

Teenager Aaron Pickles is in line to make his fourth start of the League One campaign, although Coleman is not expected to make many further changes.

Shaun Whalley is an option in the final third if Coleman wishes to provide a different look to his attack.

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Sweeney, Aimson, Hartridge; Key, Collins, Harper, Mitchell; White; Stansfield, Nombe

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Fernandes, Nottingham, Pickles; Clark, McConville, Leigh, Martin, Longelo; Pressley, Adedoyin

We say: Exeter City 1-1 Accrington Stanley

With less pressure on the shoulders of Exeter, they have the freedom to push hard for the three points. However, Accrington will be eager to bounce back from a tough run of fixtures, and we are backing the visitors to earn a share of the spoils with a battling performance.

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