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

Exeter City will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they welcome Peterborough United to St James Park this Saturday afternoon. 

Meanwhile, the visitors have made a dreadful start to the 2025-26 League One campaign, failing to pick up a win in their opening five games.

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Match preview

Despite going through an unbeaten pre-season campaign, Exeter have made a stuttering start to the new season, failing to win three of their opening five league games. 

After losing 1-0 against Doncaster Rovers in the curtain raiser, the Grecians responded strongly with a 4-1 thrashing of Blackpool. 

Gary Caldwell's side failed to pick up any momentum from that game, as they bowed out to Cheltenham Town in the first round of the EFL Cup, followed by a 2-1 defeat against Mansfield Town at home. 

Fortunately, they avoided three losses in a row with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Wycombe at Adams Park, where an own goal from Jack Grimmer seven minutes from time earned them all three points. 

The lack of consistency has been their demon for the past few seasons, and it was evident once again last week, as the Devon-based outfit suffered a 2-0 loss away to Northampton Town. 

Peterborough have endured a nightmare start to the season, finding themselves at the bottom of the league with just one point from five games. 

Last season saw a significant decline for the Posh, as they finished 18th in the League One table, 14 places lower than their position in 2023-24. 

While we are still in the early part of the campaign, the pressure is already mounting on Darren Ferguson. With four consecutive defeats and an early exit in the EFL Cup against Accrington Stanley, the Scot is struggling to achieve the desired results. 

The season began for Peterborough with a 2-1 loss against Cardiff City, followed by a 2-0 defeat against Luton Town.

Two more defeats followed in the league against Wigan Athletic and Barnsley, but they halted the humiliating streak with a 1-1 draw against Bradford City in their previous game. 

Exeter City League One form:

L W L W L 

L W L L W L 

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Team News

It has been a busy summer transfer window for Exeter, as they have made nine additions, including Premier League loan deals for Joe Whitworth from Crystal Palace, Sil Swinkels from Aston Villa, and Ethan Brierley from Brentford.

The home side could shuffle their pack after their defeat in the previous game, but striker Jayden Wareham is still expected to lead the line. 

Defender Tom Lees and midfielder Matthew Garbett are now fit to start for the Posh after being named in the squad for the game against Bradford. 

Ferguson could give some minutes to new signing Peter Kioso after a full week's training, but Sam Hughes and Rio Adebisi are still sidelined, while Alex Bass is due back for the trip to Huddersfield Town. 

Exeter City possible starting lineup:

Whitworth; McMillan, Fitzwater, Turns; Rydel, Brierley, Francis, Niskanen; Aitchison, Wareham, Cox

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Reyes; Dornelly, Lees, Okagbue, Johnston; Khela, Collins; Odoh, Hayes, Lisbie; Ihionvein

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We say: Exeter City 2-1 Peterborough United

Exeter have won two of their last six league meetings with the Posh, but given the current form of the visitors, the Grecians will not get a better chance to pick up maximum points. 

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

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