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

Gary Caldwell's Exeter City are set to host David Horseman's struggling Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day at St James Park in League One.

The Grecians came from behind to win 2-1 last time out against Burton Albion, while Bristol Rovers ended a three-game loss streak in the league with a 1-1 draw against high-flying Wrexham.

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Match preview

Exeter are currently 13th in League One having picked up 27 points from their 20 matches so far, and are four points from the playoff spots.

Following his side's comeback win over Albion on Saturday, boss Caldwell was extremely pleased and mentioned that to win in such a manner showed their character and would surely set the club up for a successful second part of the season.

In that game, the Grecians conceded after just eight minutes, but a close-range header from Josh Magennis drew them level before a stunning strike from Millenic Alli midway through the second half gave the visitors the three points that their performance deserved.

However, that win was Exeter's first in seven League One matches, a stretch that went back to mid-November and included four losses and two draws.

It is also notable that Caldwell's side have not kept a clean sheet in the league since the same mid-November period, though given the offensive struggles that have plagued Thursday's visitors, the Grecians may get away without their defensive weakness being exposed this week.

Meanwhile, Horseman's Rovers are 19th in the table, and their 22 points from 20 games has them just two points above Crawley Town in the relegation zone.

The Gas are without a permanent manager following the sacking of Matt Taylor earlier this month, and Horseman has taken interim charge once again, though this time he is being assisted by Lee Cattermole.

That being said, it has been reported that Brighton Under-18's boss Inigo Calderon is set to join the club in the coming days, and fans will hope that he can get the team to safety and security in League One at the very least.

One of the first points on any new manager's agenda will be to improve the Gas' poor form in front of goal this season, a problem that has been readily apparent given the fact Horseman's side have scored just two goals in their last six league games.

Only two teams have scored fewer than Rovers' 18 goals this term, and when coupled with their 29 goals conceded, only one club outside of the relegation zone has a worse goal difference at the moment.

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Team News

Exeter manager Caldwell has spoken about how stretched his squad is in defence at the moment after Tristan Crama picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday's win.

To add to this, captain Pierce Sweeney missed that match with a calf injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks, and Johnly Yfeko has also been out of action for the past two months with a hamstring injury.

Given this list of absentees, the Grecians will likely line up with Edward Francis, Jack Fitzwater and Jack McMillan in front of goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.

As for the Gas, Horseman has said that the hamstring injury that West Ham United loanee Michael Forbes picked up against Wrexham is still being assessed, and he is unlikely to feature on Boxing Day.

Consequently, Clinton Mola, who started that match in a wing-back position, is likely to move further backwards to make space for Luke Thomas in the XI.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa loanee Lino Sousa is back in full training and while he may not start, the interim boss has mentioned that he is available for minutes if selected.

Jack Hunt is also back running on grass and is expected to be in the dugout as he has been helping the coaching staff following Matt Taylor's dismissal, though he is not yet ready to play.

Exeter City possible starting lineup: Whitworth; McMillan, Fitzwater, Francis; McDonald, Woods; Alli, Aitchison, Mitchell, Niskanen; Magennis

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup: Griffiths; Wilson, Taylor, Mola; Omochere, Conteh, Lindsay, Thomas; Sinclair, McCormick; Martin

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We say: Exeter City 1-0 Bristol Rovers

Neither side come into this match in the best form, though Exeter may have gained some confidence having won last time out.

Additionally, with the Gas' struggles in front of goal it is difficult to see them scoring in this game, and the Grecians can be expected to pick up all three points in a narrow win.

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

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